KEVIN THOMSON is confident Middlesbrough can deliver promotion back to the Premier League next season – despite a lack of transfer activity.

When Thomson moved last summer from Rangers in a £2.5m deal, he joined with the intention of spending just one year in the Championship.

However, the Scotland international endured a disappointing campaign from a club perspective and the personal nightmare of suffering serious injury.

But after returning to the team towards the back end of last season, Thomson is satisfied Boro have a pool of players at manager Tony Mowbray’s disposal capable of going up next time around.

“You could see how much the boys were up for it from the way we finished last season so strongly,” he said. “The key is to get off to a good start and help get Middlesbrough back into the Premier League.

“That was my stated ambition when I came here last year but I was under no illusions that it would be easy. But I am confident we have enough in this squad to beat anyone in this league.

“It was frustrating last season. I’d come from a team that had been winning every week, but the Championship is a hard league and very unpredictable – it makes me laugh when the bookies name their favourites because it is so difficult to call.”

Mowbray has so far been unable to bring any of his own men in as he waits for the offers to come in for his players that would enable him to reduce the wage bill.

But Thomson, who had a fractured fibula for much of last season, is not getting caught up in all of that. Instead he just wants to think about resting before returning for pre-season with the determination to reach the Premier League.

“Fingers crossed, we will start strongly in August and have a more pleasing season,” said Thomson.

“It was good to get some games under my belt towards the end of the last campaign and I want to pick up from where I left off.

“You can sense the excitement there is in the town about the gaffer being back and obviously we all want to get the club back in the Premier League.”

n  Boro’s adult supporters have until June 30 to take advantage of a £35 discount for renewing or purchasing a season card in the ‘save your seat’ initiative. Season card prices up to that date start £400 for adults; £260 for over-65s; or £190 for 18-21s. Under-18 season cards are £99.