Malanda's best position is centre-back - Hellberg

[Getty Images] Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg has said he believes Adilson Malanda's strongest position is centre-back. The 24-year-old usually plays in the backline but has been utilised in a defensive midfield role on occasion, including in Boro's 1-1 draw at Burnley on Wednesday. Speaking before Middlesbrough's trip to QPR on Saturday - the second of three away games for the team in six days - Hellberg said Malanda "is the centre-back and that's where I see him". He told BBC Radio Tees: "But then of course, you need to put the best team on the pitch and I think Malanda has been absolutely brilliant. "Some of our best games are when he plays as a six stepping up. I think his first half [at Burnley] was absolutely brilliant." Hellberg described the Frenchman, who arrived at Boro from MLS side Charlotte FC in August 2025, as a "unique player". He added: "In general I think his best position is centre-back, but sometimes you have to put what's best for the team and he's very versatile and can do a lot of things. "He's an unbelievable footballer that should get a lot of praise from everyone for what he's doing and how he puts his team first, because whatever I tell him, if I told him to be goalkeeper tomorrow, he would do it." Hellberg confirmed midfielder Myles Peart-Harris is fit to travel to Loftus Road after missing the Burnley game with a calf issue, but said the match will come too soon for injured winger Jeremy Sarmiento. Listen to Kim Hellberg's full pre-match press conference below or on BBC Sounds.