MIDDLESBROUGH have made significant progress on Aitor Karanka’s backroom team and are confident of confirming at least two new arrivals before the end of the week.

It is understood there will be a new member of the coaching team as well as the expected arrival of new fitness assistant Carlos Cachada to give the sports science department a fresh face.

Boro chief executive Neil Bausor has been working on additions to Karanka’s coaching staff since it was confirmed the Spaniard had signed a two-and-a-half year deal to become the new head coach last Wednesday.

The 40-year-old watched the club’s Under-21s alongside Cachada on Monday night at the Riverside. Karanka is likely to have Jamie Clapham, the Under-21s coach under Tony Mowbray, working under him during his time at the helm. Clapham has been asked to help out on the coaching side so far.

Cachada has previously worked with Al-Ahli and Istanbul, while he also has a background in both primary and higher education.

Karanka is desperate for extra help from a backroom team assembled by him and Bausor has been working behind the scenes to employ the individuals Jose Mourinho’s former assistant has in mind.

The Middlesbrough players have had plenty of sessions with the new man in charge and he has been hitting them with a number of double sessions.

It remains to be seen whether Rhys Williams trains with the new head coach when he returns from international duty. He was substituted after 48 minutes of Australia’s 1-0 win over Costa Rica.

It is understood former Colorado Rapids goalkeeper coach, Uruguayan Leo Percovich, will not be one of those named in Karanka’s backroom team this week. Percovich was also seen at the Riverside on Monday and is a close friend.

After the trip to Leeds United, Karanka will gear his team up for a meeting with Bolton and Middlesbrough have defended their ticketing policy for the fixture.

The Teesside outfit have slashed ticket prices to £12 for adults and £7 for concessions as part of the offer, but that does not extend to travelling supporters.

Bolton fans will be asked to pay £27 for adults, £17 for over-65s and £14 for under-18s.

The move has led to the Trotters drawing up an official complaint to the Football League, citing the potential for away fans to try to buy tickets in other areas of the ground.

A Middlesbrough statement read: “We felt it was appropriate to arrange a special promotion for the Bolton game as it will be the first home fixture for our new head coach, Aitor Karanka. As such it has particular significance for our own fans.

“Under Football League rules, each club is entitled to run up to four ‘local’ promotions each season in which home supporters are offered a discounted ticket price. The Bolton match falls into this category.

“Away supporters will be charged at our standard matchday rate, which is comparable with most Championship clubs. This also reflects the expected ticketing price level that will be set for our supporters when they visit the Reebok Stadium on New Year’s Day.”

Middlesbrough’s Bolton counterparts have been in touch to try to get the deal opened up to all supporters.

A Wanderers statement read: “The club has made representations to Middlesbrough to extend their offer to Bolton supporters but the decision has been made to run a price promotion for home supporters only. As a consequence the club will be now raising its concerns to the Football League.”