Grant Leadbitter’s absence has been keenly felt at the Riverside this season, so its no surprise Karanka is so pleased by his availability.
Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka has told the club’s official website that the return of influential midfielder Grant Leadbitter is a ‘massive’ boost to his side’s survival hopes this season.
After departing the Riverside pitch to a chorus of boos following a dismal 1-0 home defeat to Watford two weeks ago, Boro’s recent performances have hinted that they are finally finding their feet back in the top tier with Saturday’s impressive 2-0 win against Bournemouth coming a week after they were unlucky not to steal all three points from Arsenal at the Emirates.
The electric performances of Adama Traore and Gaston Ramirez’s wonderful individual goal against The Cherries have headlined Middlesbrough’s improved form, and Karanka believes Leadbitters’ availability provides another boost to cap a promising fortnight.
“I said always how important he is for the team,” the Head Coach told the club’s official website.
“Even when he was injured, he was travelling with the team, and you can feel his character on the pitch and in the changing room.
“Now with him training and playing it is a massive and important thing for us.”
Leadbitter featured for the final half hour on Saturday after undergoing surgery on a hernia problem, his first action since the final day of last season.
That was the 30-year-old’s first taste of Premier League football since the early stages of the 2009/10 season when he was plying his trade some 40 miles north with Sunderland (below, left).
However, despite his relative lack of top flight experience, Leadbitter is a confirmed favourite of Karanka’s, with his competitive steel in the centre of the park helping Boro maintain the best defensive record in the second tier last season while contributing at the other end with four goals.
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