Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka has praised Jelle Vossen after the striker scored a hat-trick in the team's 5-1 thrashing of Millwall.

Vossen found the net three times at The New Den on Saturday as Boro maintained their promotion challenge in the Championship.

The win has pushed the Teesside club up to fourth place in the table, two points adrift of leaders Derby County.

"I know how good Jelle is, and when you are a very good striker one day the goals will arrive," Karanka told BBC Sport. "He's been working hard every day and he took his chance so I'm very happy with him."

Boro are back in action next Saturday when they welcome Derby to the Riverside Stadium.