Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka urges players to maintain their focus

Aitor Karanka has told Middlesbrough they must start their season all over again if they are to keep their Premier League survival mission on track.

The top-flight newcomers have been far from daunted by life among the big boys during the early weeks of the campaign and have collected five points from the first nine on offer as they look to ensure they remain exactly where they are.

However, Karanka has warned his players things could change markedly in just a few weeks if they do not hit the ground running once again after the international break, starting with Saturday's visit of Crystal Palace to the Riverside Stadium.

Aitor Karanka has told his Middlesbrough players to start their Premier…