MIDDLESBROUGH take on an Everton side boasting an in-form Romelu Lukaku this evening, but in Spanish striker Alvaro Negredo, Aitor Karanka claims the Teessiders have a goalscorer every bit as talented as the Belgian.

Lukaku’s slow start to the campaign became a distant memory on Monday night as his second-half hat-trick enabled Everton to claim a 3-0 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

The Everton striker scored against Boro in the Capital One Cup last season and is widely regarded as one of the leading forwards in the Premier League, but while Karanka admits his defenders will have to be at their best to shackle him at Goodison Park, he insists the world-class attacking talent will not be restricted to one end of the pitch.

Negredo has gone three games without a goal since opening his Boro account on the opening day of the season, but Karanka continues to regard his compatriot as one of the leading centre-forwards plying his trade in the English top-flight.

He might have struggled to make an impact at Valencia last season, but Karanka considers Negredo as every bit as good as Lukaku if he is playing at the top of his form.

“He doesn’t have the same valuation as Lukaku now because last season wasn’t great for him,” said Karanka, who secured Negredo’s services on a season-long loan this summer, with a view to a potential £10m permanent deal at the end of the campaign. “But if both him and Lukaku are playing their best games, then I think Alvaro can be at least as good as Lukaku.

“It is only natural that his confidence was a bit down after last season. If he had played at his proper level last season, we would have had to pay £30-35m to sign him.

“I knew I could change his head and bring his best out of him. I am pleased with the way he has played in the four games, and really confident about the future with him.”

While most of Everton’s play on Monday revolved around teeing up Lukaku in the final third, Negredo has been forced to feed on scraps in the majority of his appearances in a Boro shirt.

He wasted a decent first-half opportunity last weekend by shooting straight at Palace goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, but didn’t really threaten at all at West Brom and was more of a provider in the 2-1 win at Sunderland.

With Boro still finding their feet in the Premier League, Karanka concedes his side are unlikely to create a host of chances in any of their away games.

But while Negredo was accustomed to his team-mates bossing the game when he spent 12 months at Manchester City, he has willingly adapted to his changed surrounds, even if it means being more of a team player and less of a penalty-box predator.

“He is pleased because he knows that he is going to score goals,” said Karanka. “But he also knows it is different this season because he is used to playing for big teams, where he has lots of opportunities to arrive into the box.

“This season, it is a bit different because maybe we are only going to have two or three chances – maybe five at the most – every game. He knows that his role is different, but his quality is not in doubt and he will score goals. He understands the situation, and he knows that he came here to help us stay in the Premier League.

“He is enjoying it a lot. I knew that he needed to change his head a bit because last season was really, really tough for him. Now, even when he is not arriving into the box and is having to work really hard behind the ball, he is understanding his role and carrying it out well.”

He is also emerging as one of the leaders within the Boro squad, having turned 31 last month. He might not be the most vocal presence within the dressing room, but his record in both the Premier League and La Liga demands respect and Karanka has been impressed by his attitude and professionalism on the training ground.

“He is a leader because of his past, and the teams he has played for,” said the Boro boss. “Because of what he has experienced, he can teach the other players, and show them the right attitude on the pitch.

“He can lead because of his character. I am really pleased with his attitude because even when he has not been scoring, he has been working really well for the team. I know he is going to score goals.”