Aitor Karanka: 'Bournemouth are best team in Championship'

Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka has admitted that it would be an "amazing" finish to the week if they can secure three points away at Bournemouth.

The North-East outfit have secured crucial wins over promotion rivals Ipswich Town and Derby County in their last two games, but the Spaniard has acknowledged that it will be difficult to overcome a team that he describes as the best in the Championship.

The 41-year-old told the club's official website: "It would be amazing to finish this week with another win but we know that it's going to be a very tough game.

"In the way that I said last week that Derby were one of the best teams in the league, for me, Bournemouth are the best. Maybe they don't have a lot of recognised players in their squad, but they have a very good team."

Middlesbrough will move into first place in the table if they can avoid defeat against the Cherries.