Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka has acknowledged that striker Alvaro Negredo is enjoying his time in the North-East.

Earlier in the summer, Karanka pulled off one of the surprise signings of the transfer window by bringing the former Manchester City forward to the Riverside Stadium on a season-long loan deal from Valencia.

Negredo had scored just 17 goals in two years at the Mestalla but he has scored one and contributed two assists in his first appearances for his new club.

Karanka is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "I knew when we recovered his head and his confidence he'd be back.

"He's playing really well and working for the team. I see him every day and his face and body language tell me he's enjoying it."

Negredo is expected to start when Middlesbrough face West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns on Sunday afternoon.