Middlesbrough midfielder Julio Arca admits he expected to be sent-off last week against Fulham.

Arca, whose mis-timed challenge caught Andy Johnson on the side of his calf, said: "I thought the ref would give me a red card.

"But I never meant to go in like that. I meant to cover the ball and he was too quick for me.

"Suddenly he was there and I couldn't take my foot out. I saw the challenge on TV and it looked bad. I apologised to him and I am thankful that he was OK.

"I would have been really disappointed if he had been injured.

"Hopefully it won't happen again. people who know me know that I am not that type of player. I just want to get on now and help the team to win games.

"We have no excuses after Saturday. But we have had two good sessions this week in training and we are all looking forward to Boxing Day."