Karanka eyes more attacking additions at Boro

Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka will look towards potential further attacking reinforcements this month as the club seek to retain their Premier League status.

Boro sit 16th after 20 matches, four points above the bottom three and their 17 goals scored is the joint worst in the division alongside bottom club Hull City.

Karanka brought in striker Rudy Gestede from Aston Villa this week on a three-and-a-half-year deal and the former Real Madrid assistant is now keen to add someone to supply ammunition from the flanks.

“I hope we can bring in more players, especially with the injuries we have had we need a little more,” he told a news conference ahead of Sunday’s  FA Cup third-round tie at home to Sheffield Wednesday.

“I think we need to improve in the attacking positions, and I hope we can bring in someone who can play on the wings. 

“I can’t say anything about names of players. Today is January 6 and if we start talking about players already it is going to be a long month.

“The club as always is working hard behind the scenes. We have an important game on Sunday and I have to think about the players we have here.”

On Gestede, he added: “Rudy will be a really good player for us. He gives us something different and I am pleased he is here so early in the window.

“I will have to think but I don’t think he will start from the beginning on Sunday.”