Middlesbrough v Reading: Boro want more than play-offs, insists Aitor Karanka

MIDDLESBROUGH sit in the automatic promotion places with six Championship matches to go, but the last thing that they are doing is taking anything as read.

Recent history explains why, for the Teesside club were top of the table at the same stage of the season 12 months ago, only to be usurped by Watford and Bournemouth for automatic promotion in the run-in.

Second-placed Boro have already secured a top-six place thanks to results at the weekend, but extending their season is something that everyone on Teesside is desperate to avoid after last season’s Wembley heartache at the hands of Norwich City.

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Aitor Karanka’s side can move two points clear of Burnley, who they visit in a week, if they beat Reading this evening, but the Spaniard is keeping focused given those experiences of last year.

Karanka said: “Getting in the play-offs is one step, but we want more. But we also know that last year, after 40 fixtures, we were top of the table and in the end we finished fourth.

“Now we are in the play-offs with six games to go and have to keep going.”

Mid-table Reading arrive on Teesside with their season over as a competitive entity, but Boro supporters will no doubt be mindful of their recent Indian sign over the club.

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Boro have not won in their past four matches with the Royals and have not scored either. The Berkshire outfit beat them 2-0 in the reverse fixture at the Madejski Stadium when midfielder Danny Williams put the hosts in front after just 15 seconds as a five-match winning streak for Boro was unceremoniously ended.

Karanka has hinted at making changes after admitting that his squad are feeling the strain of a busy schedule. The likes of Tomas Kalas, Adam Clayton and Jordan Rhodes could return to the starting line-up as Boro’s head coach looks to keep his squad fresh.

Left-back James Husband is also back after his successful loan spell at Huddersfield Town and Karanka says the former Doncaster Rovers defender could have a role to play between now and the season’s end.

He said: “He is one more option for the team, and in this moment we need everyone with us.”

Last six: Middlesbrough LLWWWW, Reading LLDWWL.

Referee: S Duncan (Northumberland).

Last time: Middlesbrough 0 Reading 1; August 30, 2014; Championship.