AITOR KARANKA has admitted Middlesbrough must eradicate the errors that have proved costly in recent weeks as they look to establish themselves as a Premier League club.

Boro have far from disgraced themselves since returning to the top-flight and have collected five points from their opening five fixtures.

But Middlesbrough have lost the last two games against Crystal Palace and Everton ahead of this Saturday’s visit of Tottenham to the Riverside Stadium.

Karanka, the head coach, is keen to see improvements in his bid to prevent the Teessiders from slipping closer to the relegation zone.

He said: “I think we need to fix our mistakes. We’ve only won one in five but the only game we were a bit lost was the last game.

“It’s obviously disappointing when you concede and they come from mistakes. But it’s not to be concerned, we have to fix them. We are now against some of the best teams and they’re taking advantage of our mistakes."

Karanka has no fresh injury problems ahead of the visit of Spurs with Grant Leadbitter, Fabio da Silva and James Husband the only notable absentees.

Tottenham will also be without Harry Kane after the England striker was ruled out for eight weeks with an ankle problem.

Karanka, who revealed midfielder Adam Clayton has trained all week after his knock at Everton, said: "Tottenham have top players and we have to know one mistake in the Premier League we will be punished.

“In the Championship you can be lost for ten minutes and nothing happens, but now ten minutes lost on the pitch is three goals.

“I think we would miss Alvaro Negredo more than they will miss Kane. They have other players to play, an amazing squad. Mauricio Pochettino will play someone who is really motivated.”