Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka is ready to drop Alvaro Negredo for their clash with Stoke City.

Shot-shy Boro have fired the fewest goals in the top flight this season, finding the net just 19 times in 26 games.

Karanka is instead set to turn to January signing Rudy Gestede, who has not won in the Premier League for 36 games.

He said: “Rudy will win a game soon but I wasn't aware of that record, no.

“I still say that I have the best players in the world.

“I know my team but I'm not going to tell you who starts. I don't tell you because Alvaro doesn't know yet and I think it's fair to tell him first."