Karanka says Friend the heartbeat of Boro team

Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka claims that George Friend is one of the heartbeats of his Boro team.

Normally a model of consistency, Friend has come in for criticism after being at fault for Wilfried Zaha’s second-half winner in a 2-1 defeat against Crystal Palace.

The full-back has been part of the PFA Championship Team of the Year for the last two seasons and appeared to have taken the transition to the Premier League in his stride before the mistake against the Eagles.

(Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

That error meant Boro suffered a first league defeat since their return to the top flight over the summer but Karanka is certainly not going to blame Friend – who was standing in as captain for Grant Leadbitter on the day – for the loss.

“I am really pleased with the squad and players that we have,” said the Spaniard. “Now is not the moment to say anything [about Friend’s mistake].

“It’s the same as the penalties we weren’t awarded – everybody knows. He’s the first one who knows he made a mistake.

“But complaining about George Friend will be the last thing I’ll do. If Grant Leadbitter is the character of this team, George is another.

“He was the captain – I can’t say anything about him and I can’t blame him.”