Boro may reap reward of keeping Hugill faith

BORO will have the opportunity to make Jordan Hugill’s move to Teesside a permanent one next month. West Ham are said to be looking for a fee of £6m for Hugill, who is on a season-long loan at the Boro. The Hammers will take a knock of £4m on Hugill if they complete a sale, having forked out eight figures to sign him from Preston last January.

Everything will depend on how highly Tony Pulis rates Hugill. The 26-year-old was nowhere near fit when he arrived back on Teesside but the Boro boss kept faith in him.

Hugill was handed only limited pitch time while he getting fit but Boro are reaping the benefits.

The former Dickens Inn barman will be slightly disappointed with his performance against his former club Preston last week but then he saw very little of the ball.

Hugill currently looks a better bet than Britt Assombalonga for the centre-forward spot and his inclusion is even more vital following the injury to Rudy Gestede.

Hugill and his fellow forwards can probably expect better service from January onwards because Pulis is certain to bring in at least one wide player.

Pulis is believed to be weighing up his options and has targeted several possible wing-men.

Whatever happens, Pulis must hope that the new player or players settle in quickly because Boro need to improve their goalscoring output – and quickly.

In this respect, Pulis is delighted that Marcus Tavernier has taken every bit of the opportunities which have come his way.

The 19-year-old attacking midfielder justified his selection at Brentford by scoring the crucial second goal and then came off the bench at Preston to grab the equaliser.