CHRIS WILDER has hinted that Tommy Smith will be offered a contract with Middlesbrough once Djed Spence’s proposed move to Tottenham goes through.

Smith has been training with Boro’s first-team squad at Rockliffe Park, and scored the Teessiders’ second goal in this afternoon’s 5-0 win at Bishop Auckland.

The full-back is a free agent following his release from Stoke City at the end of last season, and boasts extensive experience, having captained Huddersfield Town during their time in the top-flight.

He has been lined up to provide competition for Isaiah Jones at right wing-back, but will only be offered a deal once Spence’s ongoing transfer situation is resolved.

“He’s (Smith) someone who’s played in the Premier League, captained in the Premier League, won promotion to the Premier League and played about 400 league games,” said Wilder. “He’s come in and is training with us.

“He’s someone I’ve known for a long time, and it’s a position where we’re looking to strengthen. Izzy (Jones) had a fantastic season last year, and we’ve still got the ongoing situation with Djed.

“I’ve known Tommy for a while. We’re doing him a little bit of a favour, and at the same time, we’ve got the opportunity to have a look at him as a potential player that could come to us. His CV speaks for itself really, but the situation with Djed is an ongoing one.”

Middlesbrough continue to hold discussions with Tottenham over Spence, but the two clubs are yet to reach an agreement over the fee for the 21-year-old. Boro are holding out for at least £20m, and are demanding that Spurs pay the vast majority of the fee as an up-front payment.

“Hopefully, it will come to a quick conclusion because that would help everybody,” added Wilder. “That’s the way we’d like it to be, although the situation isn’t always straightforward. It is taking its time, but hopefully it can get sorted. If not, then as I’ve said all along, Djed comes back to us.”

Boro also have Darnell Fisher on their books, but the right-back is still a long way off returning to action after suffering a serious knee injury last summer.

Fisher missed the whole of last season after undergoing surgery, and Wilder has admitted the 28-year-old could remain sidelined for the rest of this year.

“I think he’s (Fisher) still a long, long way from returning to training,” he said. “He’s still deep into his rehabilitation and so we’ve not really counted him in for the rest of the year.

“Obviously, anything off the back of that is a bonus. It’s obviously a disappointing period for him, but his attitude is good, he’s working away and when he comes back, we’ll have a look at him. Right now, there isn’t really a specific time set for that though.”