Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis is hoping to retain the services of Chelsea hero John Obi Mikel beyond the end of the 2018-2019 campaign, with the central midfielder having three months remaining on his contract with the club.

The Nigeria skipper was on the radar of a plethora of clubs not limited to Fenerbahce, Wolfsburg, AS Roma, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa before Pulis convinced him to join Boro in the January transfer window.

It has been an impressive five weeks for Mikel and Pulis believes a contract extension could be on the cards whether or not Boro are promoted to the Premier League.

''I don’t think the key to keeping John is going up. I think the key is to show him the potential the club has,'' said Pulis to Teesside Live.

''I think the secret to keeping John at the end of the season is to convince him this is a club going in the right direction.”

He added : ''John has come in and done tremendously well for us and he is enjoying his football.

''And I think he is enjoying the club too, the set-up, the feel around the squad and what we are trying to do here....''

In five outings for Middlesbrough in the Championship, Mikel has helped the playoff hopefuls pick up ten points.

Igho Kingsley

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