Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka has told his players to forget last season's play-off heartbreak

Aitor Karanka: Looking for another promotion push

Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka has told his players to forget last season's Sky Bet Championship play-off final heartbreak to concentrate on a fresh promotion push.

The Spaniard, who added former Bolton defender Alex Baptiste to his squad on Monday as he looks to rebuild for the new campaign, is determined to go one better this time around after May's Wembley defeat by Norwich.

Karanka told the club's official website: "The thing that we had to do is forget as soon as possible that defeat.

"We had to learn from that and all last season because I think it was an amazing season, but we needed more experience. Now we have an experience.

"We will have some new players soon and I want to keep everyone excited."

Baptiste, who spent most of last season on loan at Blackburn, has agreed a three-year deal at the Riverside Stadium.

Karanka told the club's official website: "He's the kind of player who people may think that he's not a big signing, but for me he is because he's very important in the squad.

"He has experience, he knows the league and he can play across the defence. He's the kind of player who can improve us a lot.

"He's a very good lad and I'm very happy he is with us."