With their three recognised central defenders out injured and Luke Ayling also sidelined, Howson prematurely returned from a long injury lay-off to come to Boro’s rescue.
He came off the bench at Swansea before starting and starring in the win over QPR and draw at Luton.
Howson’s return would be impressive enough if he was playing in his best position in the middle of the park. Instead, he’s had to cover at centre-back, a role he has played in the past but extremely infrequently.
How then, has he managed to so seamlessly shift from midfield to defence?
“The person who helped me most, certainly with the defensive side, and not just now, even in the past, is Woody,” says the 36-year-old.
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Jonathan Woodgate was previously Howson’s boss at Boro before returning to the club to join Michael Carrick’s coaching staff at the end of 2022.
And Howson can’t praise the Teessider enough for his support, advice and help – especially when it comes to learning the art of defending.
“He’s someone I’m always going to listen to because he’s so passionate about what he does, and also, he’s been there and done it at the highest level,” says Howson.
“I was fortunate to watch him as a kid growing up. He’s helped me enormously. The amount of different things I’ve learned from him
“I’ve played at right-back and centre-back at times for this club and neither are natural positions for me. I’ve got the experience of understanding the game to a certain extent, but he helps me a massive amount with the job I’ve got to do.”
Howson turns 37 in May but he says he’ll never stop learning and he continues to pick the brains of Woodgate.
“He’s massively important,” he says.
“How he’s helped me now and has helped me in the past encapsulates that.
“He works very closely with the manager. We’ve got a great team here that make it enjoyable day in and day out. Woody has been there and done it at the highest level, as has the gaffer.
“When they tell you something, you trust that it’s right. I was going to say that’s great for the young lads, but I think it’s great for all of us.
“We all can learn from them, and I’m no different to that. I enjoy learning still, and I enjoy listening to what they’ve got to say. If there are parts of my game I can keep improving, I feel confident I would do it under them.”
