MIDDLESBROUGH boss Aitor Karanka will learn this week if he will be sat in the stands for the weekend’s tussle with the Championship’s leaders.

Karanka has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association for his behaviour in the final moments of Boro’s 1-1 draw with Blackburn on November 29.

He is unlikely to contest the charge, but is thought to be keen on apologising for his actions in person and to explain his reasoning after it was alleged he pushed fourth official David Coote.

Middlesbrough hope the fact that it is the first time the Spaniard has been in trouble with the FA will be recognised when the hearing takes place.

If any punishment includes a touchline ban then Karanka will not be in the dug-out for this Saturday’s visit of leaders Derby County.

Interestingly there is not thought to have been a previous incident like this to base the punishment on.

Paul Ince was given a five-match stadium ban for ‘violently shoving’ the fourth official during his days in charge of Blackpool, but he also launched in to a foul-mouth rant and threw a bottle at a female spectator during his rage.

Karanka’s situation, however, was nothing like Ince’s. His shove on Coote followed a controversial end to the game against Blackburn in which Rudy Gestede hit an equaliser which Middlesbrough felt should have been ruled out.

Goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos looked to have been fouled by striker Chris Brown as he went to collect a corner. The ball dropped to Gestede and he hammered in the leveller, which sparked complaints from the Boro bench and referee Mark Clattenburg sent Karanka to the stands.

Karanka said shortly afterwards: “I read that I pushed the fourth official or did a lot of things that are not true; I argued with the fourth official. I don’t know if I have to speak to somebody to explain my behaviour.”

If Karanka were to receive a touchline ban then coaches Leo Percovich and Carlos Cachada will take over the lead role on the bench following last week’s departure of assistant manager Craig Hignett.

After the fantastic 5-1 victory at Millwall on Saturday, Boro hope for another crowd in excess of 20,000 for a game which has shaped up to hold great significance in the race for promotion, and a win will lift them above the Rams at the top of the division.

Boro have already sold 3,700 tickets for the trip to Blackburn on December 28. They are on sale, priced £26 for adults, £16 for Over-65s and students and £8 aged 16 or under.