Ayala finally fit and ready to fire for Boro

Middlesbrough defender Daniel Ayala admits he is desperate to prove he is fit enough for an extended Premier League run, despite an ankle problem ruling him out of pre-season.

The 25-year-old Spaniard was talismanic for Boro last season as they were promoted from the Championship, making 35 appearances in the league alone.

But after missing the majority of pre-season through injury, Ayala has had to take it easy so far, making his return to first-team action with up a late substitute’s appearance in the Wear-Tees derby.

However, having played 120 minutes in the EFL Cup match at Fulham, and then making a first Premier League start for the club away to West Brom, he insists he is now completely without pain.

“It’s frustrating to not be at your best. Even last year, when I was playing, I wasn’t at 100 per cent,” he said. “It’s a massive relief to be playing without pain. Now I’m back, and I’m very happy.

“You have to play a lot of games to get match fitness. It was hard because I had only trained one full week in pre-season.

“But in the Premier League there is competition to keep your place, and it is good to be kept on your toes.

“I played the last game and hopefully I can continue playing.

“We have five points from three games, but we know it is just the start. In this league you can lose games in the blink of an eye.

“You are coming up against the best strikers. If you lose the ball you know they are going to score. We have to keeping getting points – we can’t rest on our laurels.”