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Aitor Karanka says he is hopeful that Adam Clayton will be fit to play for Middlesbrough FC against Preston North End on Saturday.

The 27-year-old midfielder went down in the second half of Boro's 3-0 win over Huddersfield with a painful knock, and later went straight down the tunnel after being replaced by Adam Forshaw.

It was the only concern on an excellent evening for Boro, with a Grant Leadbitter penalty and a Gaston Ramirez brace securing a third straight Championship victory.

After the game, Boro head coach Karanka confirmed Clayton was forced off with a dead leg, but remains hopeful that he will recover in time to face Simon Grayson's Preston at the Riverside on Saturday.

"He has a dead leg," Karanka said when asked about Clayton's condition.

"I hope he can be better tomorrow, better Thursday and better Friday and be ready for the game on Saturday."

Read more Karanka heaps praise on Ramirez after Huddersfield win

Clayton has been a mainstay in Boro's side this season, featuring in 37 of the team's 40 Championship matches to date.

Ahead of Tuesday's match against Huddersfield, Karanka praised Clayton and claimed the midfielder is now "the best" in the entire division.

"In the Championship, for me he’s the best as he’s my player. I don’t have any doubt,” Karanka said.

"There are other midfielders who have played in the Premier League, but for me he’s the best.

“He has a bright future in front of him - he’s not young but he’s a good age, he’s improving so he has a big future.”

Read moreWhat we learnt from Boro's win over Huddersfield