MARTIN Payero has found game time relatively short due to a multitude of factors. The Argentine has suffered a series of knocks and injuries while Chris Wilder has found a winning formula with a midfield three of Marcus Tavernier, Jonny Howson and Matt Crooks. To that end, the Boro boss has reiterated he is being kept out by the side due to the performance of others but urged him to take his chance when it comes.

Since his highly publicised move from Banfield in the summer, Payero has had a hot and cold spell with Boro. The 23-year-old has featured 11 times and scored once in their 2-0 win over Cardiff City back in October. His last start in a Boro shirt was at the beginning of November and has gone on to make one substitute appearance since.

With Wilder going on record saying that several players, including Uche Ikpeazu, James Lea-Siliki and Marcus Browne, are all allowed to leave the club this month, it prompted fears from fans that Payero is another who could be heading out the door.

However, the Boro boss says he remains a part of his plans and he needs to force his way into the reckoning.

Wilder said: “I’m looking forward to working with him. He’s had a stop start first part of his career at Middlesbrough, not with me but obviously with the previous manager.

“He’s had various issues from an injury point of view. He was one that tested positive (for Covid) so he was out for a week as well. He was potentially playing at Sheffield United so that’s a bit of a disappointment for him.

“He’s another one that has got to fight his way into the team. The team is doing well. They’ve all got to have that competition and have got to fight their way in. That’s not up to me, that’s up to them so the onus is on Martin to work hard in training and then the opportunity he gets, he takes."

As Wilder pointed out, Payero's fitness has been a concern throughout his time at Middlesbrough with a series of knocks and niggles keeping him out of the team. 

Under the previous regime with Neil Warnock, the former Boro boss was usually quick to say that it will take Payero time to adjust to the pace and tempo of the Championship. 

However, Wilder maintains that it's the performance of his current first choice which has seen Payero's game time limited.

The Northern Echo:

Wilder added: “He stays healthy which he hasn’t been able to do so far. He stays injury free and fit which he hasn’t been able to do so far. You can’t get up to top speed when you’ve got all these bits and pieces that are affecting you.

“His attitude has been good. He wants to play for the football club. He wants to get into the team but that depends on Crooksy (Matt Crooks). He’s been one of our best players. That area of the pitch has been very dominant.

“You look at the performances against Bournemouth and you look at the performances against Forest. These are really two good sides and the midfield three have been outstanding. I thought the Forest game, Jonny Howson, Tav (Marcus Tavernier) and Crooksy, the way they pressed, you look at the first goal and the way they’ve allowed us the opportunity to dictate play is through that central part of the pitch. So they’ve been outstanding.

“If it’s that three to the end of the season, there’s a reason it’s that three. Because we are winning games of football and playing well. It’s up to the others to get in and Martin’s treated no different to anybody else. He’s a Middlesbrough player and he’s got to produce performances or take opportunities and if it does open up through injuries or suspension or a loss of form, Martin goes in and then it’s up to him to stake a claim and keep hold of the shirt.”

Payero will likely be in the matchday squad for Boro's home game against Reading this afternoon in the Championship. 

Folarin Balogun and Aaron Connolly are in line to make their debuts at the Riverside Stadium.