AITOR KARANKA is set to hand Dean Whitehead the task of shoring up the right-hand side of Middlesbrough’s defence for the second game in succession as the Teessiders look to book their place at Wembley on Friday night.

Whitehead was surprisingly selected for his first start since the end of February as Boro beat Brentford 2-1 last Friday to assume control of their two-legged play-off semi-final.

Despite Ryan Fredericks and Emilio Nsue both being available for the game at Griffin Park, Karanka handed 33-year-old Whitehead the task of shackling Brentford’s dangerous left-midfielder Alan Judge.

He performed his duties successfully, with a first-half booking failing to prevent him from making a series of crucial tackles and blocks as Boro restricted their opponents to a handful of chances despite the home side enjoying plenty of possession, especially in the second half.

With a one-goal advantage, Karanka’s side can afford to be more expansive in the return game at the Riverside, but having toyed with the option of recalling Fredericks, the Spanish head coach is set to name the same back four that started last week.

That would mean Whitehead continuing at full-back, with his extensive experience providing a valuable asset as Boro look to complete the task of reaching the most lucrative game in club football.

“It was my decision to play Dean in the first game (at Brentford) because I thought that we would need an experienced player in that position,” said Karanka. “Dean is a very experienced player, and he has always had a very good attitude when he has been training with us.

“He played against Man City in a similar role, and is a player who deserves to be having these kinds of moments. He did very well in the first leg, giving us his experience, and that was important.”

At close of business yesterday, there were just a handful of single tickets remaining for Friday’s decider, and the game looks certain to be the second Riverside sell-out in succession after a capacity crowd packed into the stadium for the final game of the regular season against Brighton.

Last month, Karanka bemoaned the sparse attendances for the home games against Wigan and Wolves, but with the stakes now at their highest, the former Real Madrid assistant is delighted to see such a positive response to his players’ efforts and is looking forward to experiencing what should be a lively atmosphere in two days time.

“I hope it is really bouncing,” he said. “And I hope everyone can celebrate with this team. The lads deserve all the support, and I am sure our crowd is going to be 150 per cent with us.

“Everyone – the fans, the chairman, the players – deserve to be living through these good moments. We are in a good moment right now, but I don’t want to say that it is going to be easy because it is not going to be.

“We have to prepare for the game perfectly because there is still a lot to do. Winning down at Brentford was a good first step, but we have not done anything yet and we will all be remembering that.”