Middlesbrough are looking for a ‘Leicester City bounce’ after sacking Aitor Karanka and putting assistant Steve Agnew in charge – although they have also already considered making an offer to Guus Hiddink.

Leicester dismissed Claudio Ranieri last month with assistant Craig Shakespeare stepping up and winning his first two Premier League matches in charge to pull them out of the relegation places and secure the job for himself until the end of the season.

Boro are now hoping for a similar reaction under Agnew who will take charge of Sunday’s league encounter at home to Manchester United after which the club has the international break to assess what to do before they play again away to Swansea City on Sunday April 2. If there is an improved performance, even in defeat, then Agnew may be given more time to stake his claim.