MIDDLESBROUGH blocked Leeds United’s move for Spanish striker Kike yesterday when head coach Aitor Karanka then challenged all of his players to prove they deserve to stay in his thinking over the next five weeks.

Leeds boss Steve Evans wanted Kike – along with ex-Boro striker Marvin Emnes – to join him at Elland Road before the 5pm deadline for emergency loans, but was given short shrift by Karanka.

There is a strong chance that the Whites will return with a fresh bid for the former Real Murcia striker when the transfer window opens in January, and their chances could improve if Boro make a renewed attempt to take Patrick Bamford back to the Riverside from Chelsea.

But Karanka thinks it is too early to be thinking about what may happen after the turn of the year and instead wants to see his players continue the push for the top of the Championship.

Boro head to Huddersfield tomorrow and victory – coupled with home defeats for Hull and Brighton over the next 36 hours – would see them hit top spot as they head into December.

And before Karanka thinks about what changes he might make in the transfer window, he is keen to see his squad members show why he has faith in them to get the job done.

He was speaking after learning that Southampton could be tempted to recall Jack Stephens early from his season-long loan to the Teesside club.

Stephens, an England Under-21 international capable of playing in defence or midfield, is still to make a start in the league since his move from St Mary’s in August.

His situation has led to claims that the Saints are looking to end his Boro stint prematurely, in a similar way to how Bamford could see his time at Crystal Palace come to an end in the New Year.

Karanka said: “I'm working for the game on Saturday, and then for the game on Tuesday, and Jack’s here, he's pleased to be here. In the changing room he's another player and all of them love him.

“He's improving but he knows it's difficult to play in this team because the players who're playing are playing well. He had his chance against Manchester United and played well, but in January we can speak about him.

“It's always the same - I have to try to put the best 11 out and I have to manage them, I should have all of them motivated, so it's not easy. But he's the kind of lad who's always trying to improve, always trying to grow up because he's still young. He has everything to be successful in the future but he understands it's difficult.

“In his position we have (Adam) Clayton and Grant Leadbitter, and Bruno (Zuculini) who is more experienced than him. But I'm pleased with his attitude. I don't think about what's going to happen in January.

“If I think what's going to happen in January with Jack, with Zuculini, with Bamford - I won't have enough time to prepare the games. In January we'll think.”

Karanka’s decision not to target more signings was largely down to the fact he already has six loan signings and he can only name five in a match-day squad. He extended Zuculini’s stay by a further month on Wednesday, but meant he could not seriously think about allowing Kike to join Leeds.

That would have left him with just David Nugent as his only out-and-out striker, although there is a demand to see Cristhian Stuani operate in that role more often.

Karanka said: “We have an amazing squad and we don’t need any more at the moment.”

His squad will be tested slightly at Huddersfield, where Manchester City youngster Zuculini rather than Stephens is expected to line up in midfield as a replacement for suspended skipper Leadbitter.

Karanka said: “Grant is a leader, the leader who every manager would like to have. He is the captain, the kind of player who never understands when he is not playing. I don’t like to explain why players are or are not playing.

“But when he did not play against Hull City I could see he was not happy. I need his character on the training ground every single day and on the pitch. I would like 25 Grants in my team. I would like 25 players with the same character.”

Boro defender Fernando Amorebieta, meanwhile, has retired from international football. He withdrew from the Venezuela squad earlier this month because of injury and has now informed his country that he does want to be considered any more.

He is available tomorrow, while Adam Forshaw is also back in contention after shrugging off a hamstring problem.

Youngsters Bradley Fewster and Mark Kitching have joined League Two strugglers York City on a month’s loan.