AITOR KARANKA is determined to tinker rather than transform the face of Middlesbrough’s squad for the Premier League next season.

Karanka is not on Teesside at the moment but Boro, who revealed general season ticket prices earlier today on the back of more than 18,000 supporters taking advantage of the early bird offer, are already working on transfer plans.

Chairman Steve Gibson will invest in the squad to equip for the top-flight in the hope that Middlesbrough will be competitive in the first season back in the big time.

But there is also desire from Karanka to retain the core of the squad that took Middlesbrough up this season and avoid making wholesale changes. He believes quality rather than quantity is the way forward in his search for reinforcements.

Regular discussions between chief scout Gary Gill and Victor Orta, who was appointed in a key technical role in December, have taken place and Karanka is keen to hear of progress sooner rather than later. Nothing, though, is imminent.

West Brom’s James Morrison, who hails from Darlington and graduated through the Middlesbrough system, is under serious consideration because he will be available on a Bosman free if West Brom’s attempts to keep him are unsuccessful.

But, courtesy of Orta’s extensive European links, there are numerous players from across the continent on the Middlesbrough radar.

There have been a number of players linked to the Riverside already and the latest names to have been reported across Europe are Lazio’s striker Filip Djordjevic and versatile Reims defender Aissa Mandi.

Djordjevic is rated in the £15m bracket even though he only scored three goals in 26 appearances for the Rome club this season. He has, however, been previously linked to Middlesbrough.

Karanka is looking for new attacking additions despite the arrival of Jordan Rhodes from Blackburn in January, but he is also looking at other areas of his squad too.

Damia Abella – as well as Ritchie de Laet, Jonathan Woodgate and Tomas Kalas - is set to leave the club so there is a desire to bring in a new right-back, which has led to Mandi being mentioned.

Mandi, 24, has attracted interest from a number of Champions League clubs and Reims’ relegation from Ligue 1 has strengthened his chances of leaving. He would provide competition for Emilio Nsue, but Middlesbrough will only strike a deal that suits them.

Middlesbrough are determined to stay in the Premier League beyond next season and hope for full houses at the Riverside most weeks.

Season ticket sales have reopened and there is expectations of a significant rise in numbers wanting them despite an increase in prices for those who didn’t take advantage of the early bird prices.

North and South Stand adult season tickets will cost £570, averaging out at around the £30 a game mark. The highest priced ticket will be an adult in the West Stand Upper, which is £646, while the East Stand Upper is £608. Season tickets for the Under-18s across the ground are £200.

Middlesbrough defender Daniel Ayala will hope to get a chance to impress at the heart of the defence in the Premier League next season.

The Spanish centre-back was named PFA Fans’ Player of the Season for the Championship – even though he thought he had missed out.

A blunder by Sky Sports led to them stating that Fernando Forestieri had won the award after the online poll had closed on Wednesday night. The Sheffield Wednesday playmaker was initially confirmed as the winner by Sky Sports’ Twitter feed.

But, after Forestieri had expressed his delight, Sky were prompted to have a recount after it was spotted on Tweets that it was Ayala who had actually claimed more of the vote.

A statement from Sky read: “The votes have now been verified by an independent party with 38,002 votes confirmed for Spanish defender Ayala and 37,825 for Argentina-born striker Forestieri.

"We are keen to put the record straight and sincerely apologise to Fernando, Sheffield Wednesday and all the fans who voted, for the mistaken report. We congratulate Ayala and look forward to seeing him perform in the Premier League next season.”