AITOR KARANKA hopes his absence from the dug-out for this Saturday’s meeting with Derby County will not have a negative impact on Middlesbrough’s performance.

Boro can go top of the Championship if they defeat Steve McClaren’s league leaders but they will have to do so without having the manager on the bench.

Karanka must serve a one-match touchline ban after admitting a charge of improper conduct for pushing fourth official David Coote during Middlesbrough’s 1-1 draw with Blackburn on November 29.

The Spaniard learned his fate at a personal hearing at Wembley on Wednesday when he was also hit with a £2,000 fine.

And Karanka said: “It's frustrating for me but it is just one game. I felt one second after I had been sent off that I had made a mistake.

“I hope that the players will continue to play in the way they have been and the most important thing is the team and to win the next game.

“The next game is going to be very difficult because Derby are the best team in the league. They were last season very close to getting promotion.”

Karanka is yet to decide where he will watch the action unfold at the Riverside and goalkeeper coach Leo Percovich is the likeliest man to take the lead role.

Middlesbrough could also have club captain Jonathan Woodgate on the bench after the experienced defender’s return to full training after hamstring trouble.

And Karanka, revealing that a new assistant will not be appointed before the visit of Derby, said: “This week Rhys Williams and Woody have been training with us. It is good because they are important players and in December they could be our big signings.”