Benidorm break will boost Boro

Defender Ben Gibson hopes a mid-season jaunt to Benidorm can help to reignite Middlesbrough’s firepower.

Boro are the Premier League’s lowest goal scorers with 19 from 25 games and Alvaro Negredo and Cristhian Stuani are the only squad members to have netted more than twice.

Just two points clear of the relegation zone, Boro have also recorded fewer wins than anyone else in the division – four.

Boss Aitor Karanka took his team to his native Spain for warm weather training last week and the fruits of their labour were apparent in a positive display on Saturday as they held Everton to a goalless draw.

Now though, with togetherness reaffirmed, Gibson wants a collective effort to ensure the ball starts hitting the back of the net.

“You spend that time together and you can re-evaluate and reaffirm your ambitions, and most importantly build team camaraderie,” said the 23-year-old.

“This team has changed a lot, but the nucleus has always had that togetherness.

“It brought us back from defeat in the Championship play-off final to be promoted the following year. We’ve been written off but come back time and time again.

“Now we’re desperate to get games and wins under our belt.

“We all want to score more goals, we all have a part in that and we’re showing signs of improvement.”