AITOR KARANKA has warned Middlesbrough supporters not top expect too much too soon from his team in an attacking sense after bolstering his team’s attacking options.

Karanka, also urging fans to be patient while Patrick Bamford finds his feet at the Riverside again, have already brought in two new forwards this month.

Bamford and Rudy Gestede have joined for a combined £12m, which could rise, from Chelsea and Aston Villa respectively, while Boro are also on the look-out for further additions.

Everton’s Gerard Deulofeu, PSG’s Jese Rodriguez, Crystal Palace’s Andros Townsend and Stoke City’s Bojan are all on Boro's radar; their arrivals will be determined on the best deals and departures.

David Nugent has gone to Derby and Jordan Rhodes is expected to follow out the door if the price is right, while there has also been discussions with Leicester City and Palace over offloading Gaston Ramirez and Stewart Downing. Chelsea are keen on Adama Traore.

While nothing is imminent it is clear Karanka is determined to freshen his forward line up after Boro struggled to score in the Premier League: their 17-goal tally is the worst in the division.

Karanka, who will include Bamford and Gestede in his squad for the visit of West Ham today, said: “I will try to change that. We can’t forget the two players we have signed have not been playing too much, and Patrick hasn’t played for 18 months.

“We will try to bring the best out of both of them but it will be difficult. We are not bringing in players from, Barcelona, Real Madrid or Man United.

“We are bringing in players who will help us a lot, but we have to keep calm. If you think we are going to change a lot in the next few weeks then you will be disappointed.”

Bamford’s last goal was for Boro in a 2-1 win at the Riverside against Wolves on April 14, 2015. That was his 19th goal of that season and such form earned recognition from top-flight clubs.

However, the 23-year-old has never been able to prove himself at the higher level because of a lack of chances at Burnley, Norwich and Crystal Palace. He has only made two starts during that time and 17 substitute appearances.

Karanka still rates Bamford highly, which is why he has agreed to pay such a hefty price, but does want fans to be wary of the length of time he has spent in the wilderness.

The Middlesbrough boss said: “The best thing for us is to keep him calm and not look too far into the future. We need to try to make him have the confidence we have in him.

“People might expect him to score two or three goals now that he is back, but it will be difficult. He has not played for 18 months. It’s step by step.

“People just need to understand him and I think he can handle this. He scored 19 goals because of his aggressiveness. You don’t score 19 goals in that division without that aggressiveness.

“He did really well with us, he was 21 at the time. He is 23 now and he is aggressive. We just have to touch the right button to get the best out of him.”