Bojan Krkic has only made five starts for Stoke this season

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka says he is a fan of Stoke's Bojan Krkic, but stopped short of confirming he will bid for the player in January.

Sky sources reported last month that the forward had become frustrated at a lack of first-team games and was open to a January move, with Spanish clubs Valencia and Las Palmas interested.

Potters boss Mark Hughes subsequently confirmed that he held talks with Bojan's representatives in an effort to assure the player that more first-team chances would become available in the coming weeks and months.

Aitor Karanka still wants more attackers after signing Rudy Gestede Aitor Karanka still wants more attackers after signing Rudy Gestede

Fellow Spaniard Karanka was asked what kind of players he would like to sign this month, and revealed he is an admirer of the versatile 26-year-old.

"I like to bring players who can play in different positions," he said. "At the moment it is one signing, but if someone leaves it could depend.

"I know Bojan, because he was in the (Spain) national team. He is a good player, he has played in AC Milan, Barcelona, Ajax, Rome, Stoke, so he is a good player."

Hughes said as recently as Friday that he Bojan "is still a big part" of his thinking and that "it's up to him to take those opportunities".

"I said to his advisors, and we had a long conversation, that we have lost three attack-minded players to the African Nations Cup," he said ahead of Stoke's FA Cup third-round clash with Wolves.