AITOR KARANKA has confirmed Middlesbrough’s interest in Shay Given and Stewart Downing – and is hoping to have added to his squad by the time his side kick off their pre-season programme at York City on Saturday.

Alex Baptiste is currently the only player to have joined the Teessiders since the transfer window reopened, but with talks continuing on a number of different fronts, further additions are imminent.

Given is the closest to agreeing a deal, and there is a chance the veteran goalkeeper could sign a two-year contract later today.

Karanka addresses the press Pic: Scott Wilson

The 39-year-old, who made 16 appearances for Boro during a loan spell in 2013-14, has left Aston Villa after the final year of his contract was cancelled by mutual consent.

Boro have moved quickly in an attempt to complete a deal, and Given has indicated a desire to return to the Riverside.

“We are working on the goalkeeper position, as well as trying to strengthen the midfield and attacking positions,” said Karanka, who oversaw the start of Boro’s pre-season training programme on Monday.

“Shay was here and he knows me. We are working on it, so let’s see what happens. I hope something can happen because Shay is at the top of our list.”

Senior Boro officials are also in advanced discussions with West Ham over Downing, although the talks are complicated by competing interest from both Sunderland and Leicester City.

Boro have tabled a bid of around £5m for the former England international, who has entered the final year of his current deal at Upton Park, with Slaven Bilic willing to sell provided a replacement can be secured.

Downing is understood to be keen to return to Teesside, having started his career with Middlesbrough’s academy before moving to Aston Villa and Liverpool.

“I can’t say anything new about Stewart as a player because everybody knows him,” said Karanka. “For me, it is difficult to think about him now because I know it will be difficult for me to get this kind of player.

“He is a Premier League player and he has offers from other places. But I am here to assemble as good a squad as I possibly can.”

Karanka is also looking to improve his side’s attacking options, with Ipswich striker Daryl Murphy a leading target after topping the Championship goalscoring charts last season.

Patrick Bamford was Boro’s leading scorer last term, but Karanka has accepted that the Chelsea forward will not be returning to the Riverside next season.

Other Chelsea players remain on the agenda though, with defender Nathan Ake and midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah both being considered for a season-long loan.

“I don’t think Patrick is coming because he showed everybody last season that he can play in the Premier League,” said Karanka. “I am sure that he has offers to play in the Premier League, and also to play in other countries because he is a very good player.

“We are speaking with Chelsea as a club, not just me with Jose. We will try to bring players from Chelsea, and try once again to do the best thing for the players, for Chelsea and for us.”

Boro’s first pre-season outing comes at York’s Bootham Crescent on Saturday lunch time, but neither Damia Abella or Rhys Williams will be involved as they both face at least another two months on the sidelines.