AITOR KARANKA admits he is still to decide who will replace the suspended Adam Clayton when Middlesbrough host Blackburn Rovers tomorrow afternoon.

Clayton has been banned for one game after picking up his fifth booking of the season in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic, and Karanka must decide whether to play Dean Whitehead or Milos Veljkovic in his place.

Whitehead boasts the superior experience, while 19-year-old Veljkovic, who recently moved on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, potentially offers more energy and movement, and Karanka admits he is struggling to decide who to select alongside Grant Leadbitter at the heart of the Boro midfield.

Karanka said: “Today, this is the only doubt that I have for Saturday – Milos or Dean. Both of them are very good players, and I have to manage that.

“One of them is an experienced, veteran player who knows the league and the team; the other one is a very young lad, but I am sure he is going to have a very good future.

“I have to manage things. I hope to take the right decision, but both of them can play.”

Today marks the deadline for Football League loans ahead of January’s transfer window, but Karanka has confirmed that no one will be arriving at the Riverside.

He said: “I don’t expect anyone to come in to join the squad today. Maybe there will be a big surprise for all of us, but as we sit here talking, I don’t expect anybody.”

There remains a chance that one of the club’s younger players could leave on loan to gain first-team experience, following the lead of Emmanuel Ledesma, who moved to Rotherham last week.

Karanka said: “It could be that someone leaves. Last week it was Emmanuel Ledesma, and if someone comes to me and asks to go on loan, and they are going to play, then that could happen if we are all going to be happy.

“If I think it is a good opportunity for him to go on loan, we can decide to do that.”

Luke Williams has already extended his loan at Scunthorpe United until January 3.