CHRIS WILDER has admitted Dael Fry was withdrawn at the half-time interval of Middlesbrough’s 2-2 with Sheffield United for “tactical reasons”.

Fry played the opening 45 minutes at the Riverside, but was replaced by Marc Bola for the second half, with the substitute playing on the left of Boro’s back three with Darragh Lenihan switching to the right-hand side.

While Matt Crooks was not involved in today’s game because of an illness, Fry’s early departure was a tactical decision rather than because of any injury or illness issues.

Wilder said: “Dael was tactical. I thought we were too deep and we weren’t getting up the pitch. I maybe have stitched Dael up a bit by playing him too long on Wednesday (in the Carabao Cup) – he just looked a bit leggy.

“I thought Billy (Sharp) dictated to him, instead of the other way round. I thought we got that right because Darragh dictated to Rhian Brewster in the second half, who’s a really good player as well.

“We got higher up the pitch, and it allowed Marc Bola to step in and go and be a bit more advanced and a bit more progressive in our play.

“We’re still looking at that position (on the left of the back three) as a big position to try to fix. Bola is going in there and doing the best he can, and I thought he was good in the second half, stepping in, stepping on, keeping the ball and playing more. It brought a bit more positivity to our play.”