Boro fear the Reach for stars
AITOR KARANKA hopes Adam Reach does not come back to haunt him in Middlesbrough’s FA Cup third-round clash with Sheffield Wednesday.
Boro boss Karanka admits his decision to let academy product Reach join the Championship side last September in a £5million deal was both “difficult and easy’’.
That was because, while Karanka rates the former England Under-20 winger very highly, he could not guarantee him a starting role and knew he needed to play regularly.
But ambitious Karanka has revealed he would love to see County Durham-born Reach, 23, continue his development with Wednesday – and return to Boro “when we are in the Europa League or Champions League’’.
That might sound fanciful, but Karanka said: “Adam’s heart is in Middlesbrough, but he knew the best thing for him was to move.
“I hope, one day, he can come back here when we are playing in the Europa League or Champions League and play with us – because he’s a Middlesbrough man.
“He’s young and he’s playing games, which is the main thing. He was at Preston, too, last season and he made a difference on loan there.
“Now Sheffield is another step forward for him, so if he keeps making those steps he can play at a higher level. He shows every week how good he is, but I hope he doesn’t play his best against us because, if he does, he’s a really good player.
“It was difficult and easy to let him go. Difficult because I like Reachy a lot. He had progressed a lot and he’s an amazing kid. It was difficult, but in another way it was easy because he deserves to play. To keep him here without playing, being on the bench or in the stand, he doesn’t deserve to be treated that way.
“So when he told me that a team like Wednesday wanted him, I was pleased because he has a bright future.’’
Boro’s sought-after England Under-21 defender Ben Gibson (above), 23, is another who has come through the ranks and Karanka added: “Ben and Adam grew here, and it’s nice for a club like this to produce players like them.
“Now we are working to try to improve the academy because that’s really important.’’
With Gaston Ramirez doubtful and Viktor Fischer ruled out, Stewart Downing is today in line to make only his second start in two months.
Karanka is also hoping injury-troubled midfielder Grant Leadbitter, who made his solitary start this season in the 2-1 New Year’s Eve defeat at Manchester United, will be fit despite missing training. He said: “I hope Grant can be in the squad because if he has a chance he’s going to take it.” CALLUM McMANAMAN is hoping to create more happy FA Cup memories after joining Sheffield Wednesday.
The winger lifted the famous trophy with Wigan in 2013, playing a star role in their 1-0 shock win over Manchester City.
The 25-year-old scooped the man-of-the-match award after
terrorising City full-back Gael