Sunderland friendly helped Middlesbrough prepare for QPR, says Karanka

Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka has told his club’s website that a behind-closed-doors win over Sunderland was the perfect preparation for the visit to QPR.

Prior to taking a break for a few days over the Easter weekend, promotion-chasing Boro beat the Black Cats 2-1, thanks to goals from Kike and Jordan Rhodes.

And Karanka said he organised the fixture to keep the players’ minds and bodies sharp ahead of the run-in, which starts at Loftus Road on Friday night.

He said: “The break was good and that’s why we decided to play Sunderland beforehand.

“It’s better to feel that you’re playing another game rather than just being on the training ground.

“I don’t think we’re going to improve our tactics a whole lot now because we’re approaching the end. So we’re just adding more sessions, being together and just keeping going.

“QPR is an important game because we have eight games in April and every game is going to be massive.

“You know that most of the teams we play are playing for something and so are we, especially.

“After our win against Hull we’re in a really good position again and the lads are really excited.”

Defender Daniel Ayala could return for Middlesbrough on Friday following almost two months out with an ankle injury.