Rob Edwards admitted Rav van den Berg’s omission from the Middlesbrough team was due to his ongoing transfer situation - but insists the defender will be welcomed back into the fold if he stays at the club beyond the transfer window.

The Dutchman was not included in the match-day squad at all as Boro beat Swansea City 1-0 to get the Edwards era off and running with a victory. It follows Boro rejecting three offers for the 21-year-old, with increased uncertainty over his future on Teesside.

Van den Berg is understood to have expressed a desire to leave the club this summer after two years at the club. But as yet, two offers from Feyenoord and one from FC Koln did not meet Boro’s valuation. Besiktas and Crystal Palace have also been credited with strong interest.

On leaving him out, a

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