AITOR KARANKA hailed Middlesbrough defender George Friend, who has clocked up 150 appearances in a Boro shirt.

In the absence of Grant Leadbitter at Huddersfield on Saturday, Friend captained Middlesbrough as they won 2-0 at the John Smith’s Stadium, and Karanka feels it was a fitting gesture to a player who has become a mainstay of his side.

“George is in the calendar! He is everything,” said Karanka, referring to Friend’s appearance in the charity calendar which the club produced to raise money for its charitable foundation.

“I am pleased because George is an amazing lad and it’s important for him.”

Friend was a 2012 signing from Doncaster Rovers under Tony Mowbray, but quickly established himself in the left-back role on Teesside, and Karanka is confident that the Devon-born defender is an asset both on and off the pitch at the club.

“When we came here he had arrived one year before and was another player, but now he is an important player in this squad,” said Karanka of the £125,000 signing. “The players know that he is important and not just on the pitch, in the community, with everybody else. He is a committed player and I’m pleased he has played 150 games for us.”