Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka hunts for new centre-back after Daniel Ayala ruled out
Key defender Ayala has missed all of pre-season leaving the Premier League newbies short at the back
will step up his hunt for a centre-back this week after was ruled out of Middlesbrough’s final pre-season game at the Riverside today.
The Boro boss has already had bids for Hull’s Harry Maguire and West Brom’s rejected this summer but he is determined to land at least one of them and will make improved offers for both before next weekend's Premier League kick-off.
Former Ajax captain Nicolai Boilesen, who is now a free agent, is another target as Karanka looks for cover at left-back.
Spanish defender Ayala now missed all seven of Boro’s warm-up matches with an ankle injury and is out of Real Sociedad’s visit to Teesside today.
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Meanehile new signing Bernardo Espinosa who joined from La Liga side Sporting Gijon is also missing with a knee injury.
Ayala, who was named fans’ Championship player of last season, is now a major doubt for Middlesbrough’s top flight return at home to Stoke City.