AITOR KARANKA has paid tribute to the way his Middlesbrough players have learned to deal with his tinkering, even if it has meant being patient.

Karanka has led Boro into contention for a top two place after a fine run of form which has seen them lose just once in 12.

Despite favouring to freshen things up on a regular basis, some players who have appeared less than others.

Two to have dipped in and out of the starting line-up have been deadline day recruits Jelle Vossen and Yanic Wildschut, but Karanka has praised both for continuing to believe in his philosophy.

“I am pleased because players like Yanic, who had not played very often, have come in and been very good for me when I have needed them to,” said Karanka.

“It’s not just because he scored one or two goals for us, but he worked very well too in the games we played him in.

“It’s not just about Yanic, it’s more than him. I want to say I like Jelle Vossen’s attitude too because he has not started as many as he might have expected. He is an international player but no matter whether he starts, he gets ten minutes, 15 minutes or 30 minutes ... his attitude is fantastic and that’s what I want from all of the players.”

Despite appearing 13 times since his move from Genk, Vossen has started three games in the Championship. He is yet to score but has continued to look willing and hungry to get involved whenever he has featured.

Wildschut has only figured in five league games, starting twice, since his switch from Heerenveen but has found the net on two occasions.

While Vossen, rated in the £7m bracket last January when Cardiff approached Genk, arrived with the greater reputation following his successful spell in Belgium, Karanka also thinks Wildschut has settled in well.

“The problem why Yanic didn't play before was because it was difficult for him to train with us because we didn't have time to train with the number of matches we were playing,” said Karanka, likely to mix things up again at Wigan this weekend.

“I spoke with him a lot with the screen or flipchart, explained everything to him. His performance every single day was and is improving.

“Obviously I knew everything about him. The player we have who is most similar is Muzzy Carayol, but Yanic is stronger than Muzzy, he’s another alternative. We have 22 players and he is happy, he is training very well but he is not the only one, we have 22 players and I want them all to be happy and believe in what we are doing.”

Boro winger Andy Halliday has extended his loan stay at Bradford City until the new year.