By Jonathan Barber

MIDDLESBROUGH head coach Aitor Karanka has given Yanic Wildschut permission to join Wigan Athletic on loan for the next three months.

Karanka, speaking just hours before the deal went through, claimed the out-of-favour winger could be on his way out because the Dutchman has found chances hard to come by this season.

Wildschut has not played since being taken off at half-time during the shock 1-0 Championship defeat to Bristol City in August.

“If he has a good offer or a good place to go and we think it's a good place for him to play maybe we will send him on loan because I prefer to have players playing rather than here not playing with us," said Karanka, who admitted there had also been interest from a number of other clubs.

Adam Reach was loaned out to Preston last week and Karanka suggested it would not be a straight-forward decision to loan out Wildschut - even though he did shortly after.

Karanka said: “We have to be careful because we don't have Reachy now and have to be ready in case we have some injuries. But, again, someone can go or if we have interest in players to sign on loan we can consider it.”

The Boro boss also admitted he can understand the 23-year-old’s frustration at not being part of the recent first-team picture.

“It is difficult because he was playing against Bristol, we were unlucky and we lost that game so for me I had to change the shape with other players," said Karanka.

“Now we are winning the games it is difficult to pick him for the team. He has to play but we have to try to send him on loan to the right place."

Boro have no fresh injury concerns as they prepare to face Reading on Saturday looking to extend their winning run to eight games. Karanka admits it will be a difficult test against the third placed team in the Championship.

“It will be very tough. Reading are a very good side," he said. “They became more organised and they have started this season the same, and added new players with greater quality. They have some really good players, especially up front.".

The Spaniard also praised Reading manager Steve Clarke but refused to be drawn on suggestions it was a battle of the former Jose Mourinho assistants.

Karanka, who worked with Mourinho at Real Madrid, said: “It’s about Reading against Middlesbrough. Steve has more experience than me. He knows the league. He knows the Premier League and he knows more than me. It is Reading against Middlesbrough. We are both doing well at the moment.

“I know Steve. When we seen each other last season we spoke about doing the same job to Jose. But in the game he will be concerned about Reading and I will be concerned about Middlesbrough."