TOMAS MEJIAS will not be leaving Middlesbrough this summer despite his lack of involvement in the final two months of the season.

Mejias’ future had been in doubt after he did not even appear on the substitutes’ bench for the final 16 matches of the campaign.

The Spaniard began the season as Middlesbrough’s first-choice goalkeeper, but quickly lost his place after a string of shaky performances in the first five games.

He returned ahead of Dimi Konstantopoulos for the FA Cup matches against Manchester City and Arsenal, but after an unused substitute appearance against Bolton at the end of February, did not even feature in the match-day squad for the remainder of the season, with Connor Ripley taking over as the replacement goalkeeper.

Mejias’ tumble down the pecking order led to suggestions he could return to Spain this summer, but Aitor Karanka insists he does not want to lose the 26-year-old, who still has one more year of his current deal to run.

“Everything is okay with him,” said the Boro head coach. “He is a very good goalkeeper and showed everybody that, especially when he played at Arsenal and Manchester City in the cup games.

“He was a little bit unlucky because Dimi has been playing really well. Being a goalkeeper is a difficult position because I can just play one keeper, but I’m happy with him and he’s happy here.

“He’s very comfortable in the changing room, where there’s a very good atmosphere, and there are no problems with him.”

Having already confirmed the departure of Dean Whitehead and Jelle Vossen, who could yet return on a permanent deal from Genk later in the summer, Karanka has also revealed that Kenneth Omeruo will not be back at Boro for a third spell next season.

Having re-signed on loan last summer after a hugely impressive first season at the Riverside, Omeruo made just 17 Championship starts in a much more disappointing second term on Teesside.

As a result, he will not be returning no matter what Chelsea decide to do with him, although Karanka insists he remains a staunch admirer of the Nigerian.

“Ken couldn’t play this season in the same way that he played last season, but he’s an amazing kid,” he said. “He deserves all the best, but I prefer to not say anything about players and their futures because I need to think.”

Be that as it may, Karanka has revealed he will urge Steve Gibson and Neil Bausor to offer Jonathan Woodgate a new playing contract if the 35-year-old decides he does not want to hang up his boots in the close season.

Woodgate is currently pondering his options as he approaches the end of his current deal, and Karanka will support whatever the defender decides to do, with a move into coaching at Rockliffe Park also an option on the table.

“With Woody, I have to speak with him and the club,” he said. “I’ve always said that he can do whatever he wants here because he’s a Middlesbrough man and I’m going to help him with whatever he wants.

“If he wants to keep playing, then I’ll try to convince the club, or if he wants to join us as a member of staff, I’m going to help him. I think, for the future of Middlesbrough Football Club, that Woody can be a good person here.”