DIMI Konstantopoulos admits he is keen to sign a contract extension at Middlesbrough, but insists he will put his own personal aims behind helping Aitor Karanka’s team win promotion.

The Greek stopper signed a one-year extension in May after producing a string of impressive performances towards the end of last season, but it is clear the 35-year-old would like to extend that even further.

Signed initially as back-up to Jason Steele last summer, Konstantopoulos had to be patient when waiting for his chance to shine and it wasn’t until March when the opportunity finally arose.

The former Hartlepool keeper was dealt a further blow when Karanka picked Tomas Mejias at the beginning of the campaign, but he has since reclaimed the number one jersey.

Konstantopoulos has played his part in Boro’s impressive form of late and the keeper hopes a successful season with the team will lead to achieving his own personal goals.

“My ambition is to help the team achieve our goal this season and I think if I can do that the rest will come with it,” Konstantopoulos said.

“My ambition after every game is to be 100 per cent for the next game.

“I've learned in football you can't have long-term plans because things change from one week to the next – just try to keep focused on the next game ahead, take one game at a time and then at the end you hopefully get what you want.”

One defeat in nine games has propelled the Teessiders up to third in the table and Karanka’s side are now regarded as genuine promotion contenders.

Konstantopoulos has never played higher than the second tier during his time in English football and the Greek keeper admits it is a dream to play in the Premier League one day.

He said: “I've played against Premier League teams but not in the Premier League.

“I've always said the Premier League is like the NBA of football in the world. It's the league everyone wants to play in and it's the highest standard in the world.

“I'm no exception, I want to play in the Premier League and if I can help this club to achieve that I will be delighted.”

To do that, Boro must first bounce back from their first defeat since August when they entertain second-placed Watford this afternoon.

Karanka’s side turned in a sub-standard display in the loss at Wolves on Tuesday night, and while he accepts they won’t be at their best in every game, Konstantopoulos believes getting results when the team isn’t playing well will be key.

“In a season you are going to lose some games, that's for sure,” he said. “I wish we could go unbeaten for the rest of the season but you are going to lose games and it's a matter of how you react.

“It's a matter of getting something out of the game when you’re not playing well but I think we are mentally strong enough this season to cope with that.

“Tuesday's result wasn't good although it was one of those games where if we had equalised it would have been a whole different game.

“It just didn't go for us. I know we didn't perform as well as we could and I think the lads are ready to put it right on Saturday and that's the goal, we have to get back to winning, playing well and that's the aim.”