Middlesbrough will face Southampton in the Championship play-offs over two legs, although Hayden Hackney’s availability is uncertain.

Middlesbrough’s season finally ended in disappointment, as they missed out on automatic promotion to Ipswich Town despite being in a strong position to return to the Premier League.

Kim Hellberg’s side went four games without losing in their final four, but prior to that, they suffered crushing defeats at home to Charlton Athletic, Millwall, and Portsmouth, winning only four of their final 15 league games and falling out of the top two.

Now, all eyes will be on their two-legged match against Southampton, with their opponents in far superior form of the two clubs, in what promises to be an exciting show.

The first leg will be held at the Riverside on Saturday; sadly for Boro, it appears like they will be without key player Hayden Hackney, but they remain cautiously optimistic.

Middlesbrough hope Hayden Hackney will return to play some part in the club’s play-off fixtures.

Hayden Hackney has long been considered as one of the greatest, if not the best, Championship midfielders, and his absence in the later stages of the season very definitely contributed significantly to Boro’s failure to reach the automatic promotion positions.

The 23-year-old has been important for his boyhood club once again this season, but after suffering a calf injury in Boro’s 1-1 draw with Bristol City in mid-March, he has not played since, missing the final eight games of the season after not missing a single game all season.

Middlesbrough won just two of those eight games and earned ten points out of a potential 24, and after falling four points behind Ipswich Town in second place, his presence in the midfield could have been the difference.

Midfield partner Aidan Morris has stepped up in Hackney’s absence, with the American continuing to be a key figure in Hellberg’s side, with the Swede praising the American’s performance, saying: “He’s been good all season, and I think he’s improved through the season and been better and better and better. He was fantastic with Hayden by his side. I believe that was the league’s best center midfield.And now, even without Hayden, he has continued to improve. The team worked effectively together, with a strong midfield that excelled at passing and creating chances.Aidan has improved his performance during the season. I believe that the most essential thing is to continue to improve.

As things stand, Hackney is certain to miss the first leg against Southampton on Saturday, and with no return date guaranteed, it’s unclear what role he’ll play in Boro’s promotion hopes, if any.

However, the club is hopeful that he will return within a week, where he might play a pivotal role in Boro’s future.

Kim Hellberg will be praying for Hayden Hackney’s comeback in Middlesbrough’s play-off campaign.

Hackney’s importance to Boro cannot be overstated, and fans on Teesside will be hopeful that he isn’t done with the club.

The Championship Player of the Season winner has long been linked with a move to the top level, and he appears certain to play in the Premier League next season, one way or another.

Should Boro miss out on promotion, his sale appears to be a given conclusion, while his destination remains unclear.

Brighton and Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest have recently been connected with him, but the list doesn’t stop there, as the Englishman will have his pick of teams in summer if Boro stay in the second tier.

He will be attempting to lead his side to the top division, where he will most likely remain for another year. However, in order for this to happen, he must return to fitness as soon as possible, as his presence in the midfield is critical to Hellberg’s team’s hopes against Southampton.