MIDDLESBROUGH head coach Aitor Karanka has delivered a good luck message to Team Europe ahead of the Ryder Cup getting under way today – and then told Sergio Garcia to ‘bring it back to Rockliffe’.

Karanka and Garcia have struck up a strong friendship over the years after the Spanish golfer used to watch the Boro boss during his playing and coaching days with Real Madrid.

Garcia dreamed of playing at the Bernabeu in the white of Real and Karanka hopes his compatriot can lead the European charge at Hazeltine National over the weekend.

Boro’s Rockliffe Park training ground is part of a greater complex which also boasts an exceptional championship course which has held a number of top events, including the European Senior Tour. Karanka, who does not play golf, would love Garcia to shine for Team Europe.

The Middlesbrough boss said: “Sergio knows (I wish him well) because I was with him in the summer, and he knows I came here because he follows me and he knows it’s amazing for this club to be in the Premier League.

“Sixteen years ago, because he is crazy about Real Madrid, he was supporting us in the Champions League when we were there.

“He was supporting us and he was one of us.

“I have a really good relationship with him.

"I wish him all the best. He is invited to come here afterwards with the trophy and to play.”

Garcia tried, unsuccessfully, to teach Karanka to play golf and the latter has spent his time since then focused on leading Middlesbrough through a successful first season back in the Premier League.

Boro have not been in the top-flight since relegation in 2009; at the end of Gareth Southgate’s third season in charge. Southgate was this week confirmed as the short-term replacement for Sam Allardyce, who lost his job this week after being filmed offering advice on how to bypass transfer rules.

Southgate, the former Boro captain, has operated as the Under-21s manager and has regularly used Ben Gibson, among others, from the Riverside Stadium in his international squad.

Karanka said: “I know his time here as a captain and a manager. I have been in contact with him from my time here because we had players in Under-21 national team. I am really pleased. He deserves it.

“I hope it's not just a job for one or two months. I hope he can stay in the job because I have a really good relationship with him. He's experienced.

“He has managed in the Premier League, knows preparation, knows how to work with national team players. I didn't have experience when I came here but we are in the Premier League. He's not experienced as a national team coach but has other experiences.”

Middlesbrough head to West Ham tomorrow with no fresh injury problems. Fabio da Silva and James Husband will play for the Under-23s in the Premier League Cup at Fulham this afternoon, while Grant Leadbitter is making more progress than expected after hernia surgery.

Karanka said: “Grant's improving a lot. Maybe two or three weeks or maybe a month (from being fit). At first we were expecting Christmas so we are positive now. But these kinds of injuries, you never know.”

There will be no fresh faces for Middlesbrough’s first trip to the London Stadium, however. The head coach is desperate to see improvements from his side, which has struggled to find consistency for 90 minutes during defeats to Crystal Palace, Everton and Tottenham.

He said: “We can't think we have just important points against rivals, we have to be ready for every game. One day we will lose those games. So we have to try to add points as soon as possible.

“When we played in our intensity and style we played really well against Everton. And with the right attitude we were at least as good as Tottenham.

“The best reason is second half against Tottenham. If we had lost three games 4-1 or 5-1 it would have been difficult. But losing games the way we are losing, I don't think we need to change anything, apart from the mistakes.”