TONY PULIS expects Aitor Karanka to receive a warm reception when he returns to the Riverside, and claims he is not aware of any Middlesbrough players harbouring a grudge against their former manager.

Karanka will line up in the opposition dug-out at the Riverside for the first time tomorrow afternoon when he brings his Nottingham Forest side to Teesside.

The Spaniard spent three-and-a-half years as Boro boss, and while his reign ended somewhat acrimoniously as the Teessiders careered towards relegation from the top-flight, he also oversaw a successful promotion campaign as well as a run to the play-off final.

Pulis said: “I’ve managed against Aitor twice, and I think it’s two draws. I think he’s a good manager. He did a fantastic job at this football club, and I’m sure he’ll get a good welcome back.

“I’m sure Aitor will get a good response from the supporters, and he deserves it. I’ve managed against him a couple of times, and from the time I’ve spent with him, he’s a decent fella. Hopefully, he’ll come in for a glass of wine afterwards.”

After Karanka left the North-East, a number of Boro players spoke of the way in which their relationship with their former boss had disintegrated towards the end of his reign.

The likes of Daniel Ayala, Stewart Downing and Grant Leadbitter all had disagreements with Karanka, but Pulis claims he does not sense a festering desire to prove a point to his predecessor. Instead, he claims his players are more focused on ensuring Boro cement their position in the play-off places.

He said: “Things happen in life, and things happen in football, whether it’s individual relationships or group relationships. That happens, and people should move on.

“I’ve not come into this football club and heard anybody speak badly of Aitor – not that I’ve ever asked mind, because I want to do things for the future, not for the past.”

Pulis has been monitoring his players’ fitness in the wake of their Easter double-header with Wolves and Burton, but has no new major worries to contend with.

He said: “We’ve got one or two knocks, and bumps and bruises from the games on Friday and Monday. But they’ve had a couple of days to settle down. Everybody is out training today, so we’ll see where they are in respect of fitness and whether they’re ready to go or not.”