DANIEL AYALA has hinted that an opportunity to return to the Championship emerged this summer, but staying with Middlesbrough to attack the Premier League was always his intention.

The Spanish defender committed his future to Boro by signing a four-year deal at the beginning of August after a summer when Rafael Benitez was known to have been interested in taking him to St James’ Park.

The Magpies boss spent the months following relegation assembling a squad equipped to lead a promotion charge so he was keen to attract players with experience of the Football League.

In the end Benitez added Blackburn’s Grant Hanley to his central defensive ranks after learning he was unlikely to land £15m-rated Ayala, who had also attracted interest from Everton.

But Ayala, without name checking the clubs involved, insisted he was always keen to stay at the Riverside and build on promotion. “I never thought about leaving Middlesbrough so I was hoping the new contract would come and I’m glad it did. I happy to sign for four more years,” said Ayala, who played under Benitez at Liverpool.

“There was a lot of speculation during the summer. I was aware of clubs being in contact but my main focus was to stay in the Premier League with Middlesbrough.

“I have been here for three years and I have fought a lot to be in the Premier League, so I was never looking to go back down to the Championship or even to play for another club in the Premier League … it would have just not been the same as it is with Middlesbrough

“I have been here for three years and I have fought a lot to be in the Premier League, so I was never looking to go back down to the Championship or even to play for another club in the Premier League … it would have just not been the same as it is with Middlesbrough.

“That’s why it never crossed my mind to leave.”

Despite the satisfaction a new deal after an impressive couple of years in the North-East, Ayala has endured injury frustration during the last six months.

The ankle problem he picked up in February reduced his playing time in the promotion run-in and he felt it again during the summer when he started pre-season training.

But he has figured in each of the last three fixtures, including starts at West Brom in the Premier League and then at Fulham in the EFL Cup, and he is looking forward to Saturday’s outing against Crystal Palace at the Riverside.

Ayala said: “I have only been playing three weeks properly since I got fit, so these two weeks during the international break with no games have been good for me.

“It was quite disappointing to be injured. I got the first one earlier in the year and had never felt right. When I came back from the summer it didn’t feel right and I had to get it right for the Premier League.

“But I think the performances of the team have been quite good, we've got points which is important. If we didn't pick up points then people would think maybe we're not ready, but five points in three games - that's the main thing.

“If you lose games and then the team will be struggling a lot. I only think about winning games, I don't worry about statistics - there's no point.”

An injury to George Friend – Boro hope he will have recovered to face Palace – meant Ayala was thrust back into the centre of defence earlier than expected at West Brom.

A clean sheet, though, was the perfect way to start and that was the latest strong defensive display from Boro, who have already look efficient against Sunderland and Stoke City even though Antonio Barragan has had to play in a couple of different roles.

“The thing is, when we defend well people always analyse the defenders and the goalkeepers, but I always say it's about the team,” said Ayala.

“If the whole team doesn't defend well then it's almost impossible to keep clean sheets. It's the midfielders and the strikers too who help. The manager wants everyone to defend, not just the defenders, it starts from the strikers.”

Aitor Karanka now has the extra option of playing Calum Chambers in his backline. Chambers arrived from Arsenal on a season-long loan and will not be expecting to sit around on the bench for too long.

The £16m England Under-21 international, who has been allowed to go out on loan because Arsene Wenger wants to see him play centre-back more often, can also play at full-back.

Karanka said: “I’ve always said it’s a nice problem for me to have to arrive at my desk and have 20 players to choose from for the following game.

“Now with Calum and all of the players who have come in I have a good headache every week. We were trying to bring in the right player in that position (defence) and we knew that most of the time in the transfer window there are bargains or surprises and Calum was one of them. I’m really pleased with him in the team.”