Aitor Karanka eyes Premier League survival

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka has set his sights on survival during his side's first season back in the Premier League.

Boro will host Stoke City on Saturday in their first top-flight outing for seven years having secured promotion by finishing second in the Championship last season.

Karanka has brought a number of high-profile players to the club, including the likes of Alvaro Negredo and Victor Valdes, and he is hopeful that their experience will help towards their goal of staying in the division.

"It is amazing for everybody. We are a Premier League club and it is exciting for everyone. It is a big challenge but it is a good one for this football club, and especially for me," he told reporters.

"The main aim for us is to stay in the Premier League, and to build the foundations to be here for a long time. I was really pleased when Alvaro Negredo came here because he knows this league and has played at the top level.

"In the Premier League it is all about results. We have new players and one year in front of us to keep working and keep going."

Boro will also face Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion, Crystal Palace and Everton in their first five games.