AITOR KARANKA insists the mood around the Middlesbrough squad remains strong and is not reflective of the team’s precarious position just above the relegation zone.

Boro’s defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday has heightened concerns about the club’s future in the Premier League.

Middlesbrough have found it hard to climb clear of the bottom three during their first season back in the top tier, even though they have proven to be a tough nut to crack for the majority of teams.

But the 1-0 loss at Selhurst Park has raised more concerns with 12 matches remaining and ahead of Saturday’s trip to Stoke City.

The Britannia Stadium is always a tricky places to go and Boro will risk dropping into the relegation zone if they don’t leave with three points.

Karanka is adamant, though, the vibe is still good in and around his group of players and that it bodes well ahead of the relegation run-in.

He said: “The atmosphere has been really good, especially the people who come to watch our training sessions or to do interviews, everyone says the atmosphere here is of a team that you wouldn't think are in a relegation position.”

The stick that is often used to beat Karanka’s methods with is how Boro have the worst scoring record in the division.

That statistic is why they are sitting so close to the bottom three because their defensive record – the best outside the top seven – should be good enough to be in the top half.

Karanka has been adamant he will not change his ways, believing Boro can stay up doing what he is doing – even if he has admitted he wants his players to attack more.

He said: “I'm always trying to win the games. But if you don't win the game, one point is always good.

“It's important to stay in the games until the last minute. Against City we scored in the 93rd minute, we had a chance against Tottenham and were more attacking against Everton.

“My motivation is transmitting my confidence.”

Middlesbrough hope to have George Friend available again this weekend, while they will monitor Calum Chambers who has suffered a recurrence of his stress fracture.

It has been claimed that Belgian defender Thomas Meunier, meanwhile, turned down a move to Teesside last summer in favour of a switch to Paris St Germain.

Club Brugge sold him to PSG when there was also firm interest in him from Tottenham as well as Karanka.

Right-back Meunier, 25, said: "I could choose between six or seven clubs, most of the English Premier League.

“There was interest from West Ham, Middlesbrough and Tottenham. From Italy, there was interest from Napoli, where I almost signed.

"PSG were the last club to jump into the dance. Here I am statistically more likely to play in the Champions League than in Naples. That's why I opted for PSG.”

Middlesbrough’s Under-23s beat Wimbledon 1-0 in their final group of the Premier League Cup.

Alex Pattison hit the only goal after 24 minutes. Boro sit second in the group, three behind Fulham and two ahead of Charlton, who both have to play Wimbledon.

Middlesbrough: Pears; Johnson, McGoldrick, Elsdon, Silva Torrajon, Maloney (Liddle 58), Tavernier (Coulson 79), Wheatley, Fewster (Soisalo 70), Pattison, Mondal. Subs (not used): Hemming (gk), McGhee.