Tomas Mejias is recovering well from injury, but Boro boss Aitor Karanka says that 'he has a problem because Dimi is playing well'
Tomas Mejias will be back in first team contention quicker than expected but Aitor Karanka insists he has a fight on his hands to dislodge Dimi Konstantopoulos.
The Spanish keeper dislocated a finger in training two weeks ago just days after making his debut appearance for Boro following the departure of fans’ favourite Shay Given.
To the surprise of some, Greek goalie Konstantopoulos was give the nod ahead of former No 1 Jason Steele to start against Ipswich and the 35-year-old kept his place in the team for the matches against Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth.
So far, the former Hartlepool keeper has kept two clean sheets and the solitary goal he did concede came off the arm of Forest sub Darius Henderson, so it’s understandable that Karanka has been impressed.
“Tomas is getting better,” he told the Gazette.
“At the beginning we thought that it might be five or six weeks but he will come back quicker.
“But he has a problem because Dimi is playing well,” added the Boro boss.
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“For me it is perfect because I would have another keeper available along with Dimi, Jason and Jayson (Leutwiler) and for this I am happy.”
Mejias won’t be available for tomorrow’s Riverside clash with Harry Redknapp’s stuttering QPR team and is unlikely to be risked against Huddersfield on Tuesday but he could travel to Brighton on March 29.
Konstantopoulos was signed by Tony Mowbray last summer on a short-term contract, initially to reduce some of the training ground workload on Steele and Leutwiler.
His current deal lapses in the summer but Karanka is refusing to reveal whether he’ll offer him new terms.
“Dimi’s a veteran player, an experienced player, and he is playing well, his saves have been very good and he transmits confidence to the other players,” he said.
“I need to think about next season when this season is finished because if I am thinking now about which players deserve to be here, maybe we have 35 players next season.”
Dani Ayala, meanwhile, is also recovering well from injury, in his case an ankle problem that’s sidelined him since the goalless draw at Doncaster on February 1.
“He’s improving,” said Karanka, “he’s going well and I think in two or three more weeks he will be fit.”
With Ayala, Mejias, Jonathan Woodgate, Seb Hines, Mustapha Carayol and Rhys Williams all out of action for the time being, Karanka has plenty to ponder when naming his team but believes it creates opportunities for other squad members.
“Each day we seem to have less players but it does give an opportunity for others to play,” he said.
“It difficult to lose players but I always have options.”
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