AITOR KARANKA claims Cristhian Stuani “does not get the credit he deserves”, with the Uruguayan’s 86th-minute strike having propelled Middlesbrough into the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time in nine years.

Stuani struck in the closing stages of Saturday’s fifth-round win over Oxford United, stabbing home from close range after Alvaro Negredo flicked Fabio Da Silva’s cross into his path.

It was the 30-year-old’s 16th goal in 61 appearances since moving to England from Espanyol in 2015, and his record of a goal every four games or so is impressive given he rarely plays as a central striker.

His goals have tended to be important ones, such as the crucial strike in last season’s promotion-clinching draw with Brighton or the brace that enabled Boro to claim their first Premier League win of the season at Sunderland in August, and Saturday’s winner provided further evidence of why Karanka continues to have such faith in his abilities.

“Cristhian is a really important player, and for me, it is maybe a shame that it is not always recognised how good he is, or how much he is helping us,” said the Boro head coach. “His numbers since he arrived here have been amazing, but it is not just the numbers.

“It is also the moments (when he scores), and here he appeared in the most difficult moment of all. In the last game against Brighton (last season), he scored the most important goal of all for me, so it is a shame that he is not recognised as much as he deserves.”

Stuani was a 71st-minute replacement for Adama Traore, and having started four of Boro’s last five league games, the South American was a victim of Karanka’s tendency to rotate his squad for cup matches.

The Boro boss made six alterations at the weekend, but the ploy worked as his side played fluently to establish a two-goal lead, before showcasing their battling qualities as they fought back again after Oxford levelled things in the second half.

The likes of Grant Leadbitter, Viktor Fischer and Rudy Gestede came into the side to positive effect, and while a number of Premier League managers have come unstuck when they have shuffled their side in this season’s FA Cup, Karanka feels it is important to give everyone an opportunity to feel part of the squad.

“We are in February and we have three or four months where we have to be together, so I have to transmit to all of the players that they are important in this team,” he said. “With three or four months to go, all 24 players are going to be important.

“If I had played with different players, the players that played (against Oxford) could have been a little bit disappointed. These kind of games are important to play, and for me as a coach, it is important to show that everybody will get their chance.”

By shuffling his starting line-up, Karanka was also able to ensure he had a strong substitutes’ bench, and his alterations proved decisive as Negredo set up fellow replacement Stuani to score the winner.

“When I put 11 players on the pitch, I have to think about 90 minutes and different competitions,” said Karanka. “I knew I had a very good team on the pitch, and I also had very good players on the bench.

“When the game was going down, and the players started to feel the pressure, when you put (Gaston) Ramirez, Stuani and Negredo on the pitch, they are good players. They are quality players, and I am really pleased for all of them, not just those three, but also the players who started the game because they competed really well.”

George Friend was not involved after suffering a tweak in training on Friday, but Karanka does not expect the full-back to be sidelined for long.

Friend will train as normal this week, and should be available for Saturday’s hugely important Premier League trip to Crystal Palace.

“He (Friend) was ready to play, but he felt something in the training session and George is the kind of player who needs to be 100 per cent,” said Karanka. “He told me he wanted to play, but I have to be careful, especially when we don’t have (Antonio) Barragan. He wanted to play, but I didn’t want to take that risk.”