Negredo hopes to inspire Boro

Alvaro Negredo was thrilled he could finally put practice into action in Middlesbrough’s 3-0 win against Swansea last week and hopes he can now push on and rediscover his best form.

The Spaniard joined the club from Valencia last season and struggled initially, scoring just one goal in his first 12 games.

But his upturn in form, which has seen him score four goals in four games, has helped Aitor Karanka’s men claim six points this month already.

(Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

“I was obviously really happy to score two and get a couple for the team,” he said. “Now it’s about working more for better results.

“It’s what we’d worked on in training. The cross coming in was really good [from Adam Clayton] and we’d worked on that leading up to the game.

“I had practiced that touch and it was very important for the team to get that victory.”

The 31-year-old is now keen to help his side push on in a tough Christmas period, which sees them play Burnley, Manchester United and Leicester.

“It’s a different position but I think my experience can be good for the team. We’ve got a very good team spirit in the dressing room and I’m happy for everyone.

“With more goals comes more confidence. Strikers need goals and my mentality is always to score goals. It hasn’t been possible in other games to score goals and now I’m very happy.”