CHRIS Wilder has thrown down the gauntlet to Middlesbrough pair Martin Payero and Marc Bola and challenged the pair to force their way into his reckoning for next season. With the Boro boss seemingly unconvinced by the pair, it leaves plenty of questions about what needs to be seen from the pair in the next few weeks with just over a month until the start of the season. How can they disarm the ‘bombs’ Wilder has put underneath them?

Whether it’s their unreliable injury records or whether they fail to play in the style that the manager wants, something appears to have turned them from being near certain starters to facing the exit door.

While Payero and Bola’s futures at Boro are not necessarily set to come to an end, the pair have plenty to do to persuade the manager that they can be a part of their plans for next season. Both have been infrequent members of Wilder’s squad, largely due to injury but others have taken their place in the team and Wilder seems more sold on his other options in the squad.

Starting with Payero, Argentine midfielder has endured a difficult first season in England with a lack of game time and persistent injury hampering his progress in the first-team. Payero made just 15 appearances and scored one goal but failed to start a single league game under Chris Wilder following his appointment in November last year.

The Northern Echo: Martin Payero in action for Middlesbrough against West Brom last season.Martin Payero in action for Middlesbrough against West Brom last season.

His former club Banfield harbour an interest in bringing Payero back to the club for next season but are yet to make an official approach due to concerns of the timing of a possible deal. Manager Claudio Vivas admits that it would take a number of months for Banfield to negotiate a deal due to the timing of the English transfer window and their priorities lie in making immediate signings. Meanwhile, reports suggested Boca Juniors are lining up an 18 month loan deal for the 23-year-old.

With all the noise going on in the background, Payero recently spoke to Argentine media and affirmed his stance with Boro admitting that their had been no official contact from Argentina over a possible move back to South America. He told IP Sports: “I have no control over what happens so today I can only think of one other thing which is pre-season and being well here because it is where I am today and Boro is my club. Then if offers come and it will be something really formal, and I have it on the table, I’ll sit down and think about it and decide.”

It appears those words could be one of two messages. Either he is true to his word and he is looking to respond to the manager’s task or he is towing the party line whilst offering out a subtle ‘come and get me’ plea to anyone who may well be interested, whether it be in Argentina or elsewhere. One thing is for certain. Boro will not let him go without recouping the fee they shelled out for him last summer, which is understood to be around £4 million in total. As things stand, he returned for pre-season training last week at the club’s Rockliffe training ground and will be a part of their plans going forward.

Wilder favours a 3-5-2 system utilising three hard working central midfielder with bags of energy. Boro are well stocked in those positions with Riley McGree, Marcus Tavernier, Matt Crooks and Jonny Howson. While Martin Payero slots in positionally, the manager could be unconvinced over his merits or ability to adapt to his style of play. The previous manager Neil Warnock cited concerns over the length of time it was taking for the South American to adapt to the English game and that the physicality was becoming an issue. Persistent injuries throughout the season will testify to that whilst it remains unclear whether the midfielder has broken the language barrier with Leo Percovich acting as a translator for the player.

As for Bola, the question marks over his future come as a bit more of a surprise. The 24-year-old has been a mainstay at left-back or left wing back for a number of years in the Boro side and been one of their best performers at times. On paper, his energy and threat down the left hand side may well have suited a Wilder system.

The Northern Echo: Marc Bola in action for Middlesbrough against Chelsea.Marc Bola in action for Middlesbrough against Chelsea.

However, his injury record leaves a lot to be desired. In three seasons at Boro, he’s made 76 appearances, which also included a loan spell at Blackpool. Across last season, he had a hernia and knee problem that reduced him to just 25 games in all competitions. It all looked to be heading in a better direction when he made rip roaring start on the opening day of the season scoring the equalising goal against Fulham.

Neil Taylor filled the void brilliantly during the second half of last season as Bola had to bide his time to get back into the starting eleven. However, he struggled to maintain his place with Taylor and Tavernier both being used as alternative options.

Perhaps the most telling indicator that Bola may well be heading for the exit door is the addition of Wolves left wing back Ryan Giles who has switched to Teesside on loan until the end of the season. He has caught the eye last season with Cardiff City and Blackburn Rovers and his stats speak for themselves.

The former Arsenal academy graduate has a deal on Teesside that runs until the summer of 2024 and as the weeks progress, they may well be tempted to cash in on Bola and it would be no surprise to see plenty of clubs queuing up for him.

Wilder has reiterated that he is building something on Teesside that is ‘his squad’ as he works towards bringing in players that he trusts and knows well. With three new signings already through the door, plenty more can be expected as the manager carries out his long awaited sweeping changes on the playing squad. There was always going to be some casualties and based on last season’s contributions, Payero and Bola haven’t quite made their lasting impression but have not been deemed surplus to requirements just yet.