AITOR KARANKA has greeted news that two of his players have been named in the Football League’s team of the season by admitting: ‘I wish it was full of Middlesbrough names.’

Left-back George Friend and central defender Daniel Ayala were both included in the best XI when it was revealed on Sunday night.

Burnley duo Joey Barton and Andre Gray – who Boro face on Tuesday night in a crucial promotion encounter – were also included in the team, along with Sheffield Wednesday’s Bruno and Brentford’s Alan Judge from the Championship.

The rest were made up of names from the bottom two divisions and Karanka thinks all of his players deserve the recognition after taking Middlesbrough to the top of the Championship with four matches remaining.

“Both of them deserve it but for me 11 players for Middlesbrough should be because they have all done an amazing season and they deserve to be in the team, but George and Daniel are good examples for everyone,” said Karanka.

Friend was also awarded the PFA player in the community award.

Karanka added: “That is another side to being a footballer. The main thing is to be a good player but he has everything. He is more than a good lad, he is a very good player and he is committed with the community. He has everything and it is important especially at a club like us when you have to look after these people.”

Middlesbrough will head to second-placed Burnley on Tuesday sitting two points ahead of their promotion rivals. A victory would put Middlesbrough firmly in the box-seat for the Premier League ahead of the final few matches.

The Teessiders climbed back to the top of the table after a winning run of six matches, including late goals against Bolton and Reading in the last week.

Karanka, who has no fresh injury problems but is still without Cristhian Stuani, said: “The team believed until the last second.We could have finished with two or one points and now we have six so for that reason it is massive especially at this point of the season.”

But Karanka will not be celebrating promotion even if Middlesbrough win at Burnley, claiming anything can still happen in the final few weeks of the campaign.

He said: “In this league everything happens every week. After the last game Burnley, Brighton and ourselves have made it more difficult for Hull but there are two more games and I think it is going to go to the end. It is just to focus on ourselves and keep going.

“One months ago I said it was in our hands, I was more confident and six games later even winning them all we are still in the same situation. We just have to keep going.

“I can’t understand to celebrate something that you have not achieved so it is impossible to celebrate because we have done nothing yet. After this game we have Ipswich but that will be our concern on Saturday.”