The midfielder moved to Teesside from Egyptian champions Al-Ahly on last summer's transfer deadline day in a £650,000 deal.

The Egyptian, however, started just three league and one League Cup game last season, with a further two appearances made from the substitutes' bench.

"We hope he'll play a big part next season," Southgate told the Evening Gazette.

"In the games that he's played away from home he's done very, very well, but it's just been very frustrating."

Shawky's lack of appearances this season have left many fans wondering why Boro brought him to the club.

"It took him a while to adapt to the speed of training and then when he had got into the side he had to go to the Africa Cup of Nations," Southgate explained.

"Unfortunately he's had a couple of knocks since he came back.

"But we feel he can play a bigger role next season."