Aitor Karanka is hopeful that his Middlesbrough side can spring a surprise for Premier League champions Manchester City in Saturday's FA Cup clash at Eastlands.

Boro go into the clash on a high after beating Cardiff City 2-1 on Tuesday to move second in the Championship table, one point adrift of leaders Bournemouth.

Karanka has already seen his troops threaten a giant-killing this season after holding Liverpool to a 2-2 draw at Anfield in a League Cup clash in September, before losing 14-13 on penalties.

"I am looking forward to it. We are going to go to that game in the best shape," he told Sky Sports News.

"All the players will want to play well and they will want to play like they did against Liverpool.

"Man City are very impressive. Their squad, I watched the draw and I looked at his squad, they have amazing players. They have one of the best squads in the league but sometimes surprises can happen."

Karanka's side are unbeaten in their last five Championship outings, winning three of those.