Middlesbrough are a club looking to prove a point in the final few months of their campaign as they look to re-instate themselves as a Premier League side, for the first time in seven years.
The Teesiders fell just short last season after Norwich City broke the fans hearts, after losing 2-0 to the East Anglia side in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium last May.
Karanka’s men have come back even stronger this year and are battling it out with Burnley and Hull City for an automatic spot.
They currently occupy third place in the Championship, but are level on points with Hull and a point adrift of Burnley, who took over at the top of the league after beating Bolton at the weekend.
Boro will not want to go through another tense play-off campaign as they look to get back to the days of playing the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United.
The club have had several players that have graced the Riverside pitch over the years and they will need to build their squad, if they make it to the top-flight this season.
Football League World Writer, Ashley Williams identifies FIVE former Boro players that the club should re-sign in the summer….
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE PLAYERS!
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Patrick Bamford
The striker enjoyed the best season of his career at the Riverside after netting 19 goals in the Championship last season.
For his exceptional performances with the Championship side, he earned the Championship Player of the Year award.
The 22 year old felt that he wanted to challenge himself in the Premier League after going out on loan to Crystal Palace that proved to be a poor decision after being unable to force his way into the side on a regular basis.
He is now at Norwich City on loan, but once again is not really getting into the squad as often as he should be.
Should Middlesbrough gain promotion next season, Bamford and Rhodes could be an exciting prospect for the club and with his proven track record at the Riverside, the club should definitely re-sign the 22 year old.
Lee Cattermole
The rugged midfielder started his career on Teeside and has come on leaps and bounds since moving to Wigan Athletic, back in 2008.
The midfielder is a no-nonsense player who is known for his physicality in the centre of the pitch that could benefit Middlesbrough.
He played a big role in one of the most successful periods in the club’s history, even playing in the UEFA Cup Final in 2006 as Boro lost 4-0 to Sevilla.
The midfielder was made the club’s youngest ever captain and made just short of 100 appearances in all.
Cattermole is regularly playing for Sunderland, but are once again facing a relegation battle. The midfielder could make a return to Middlesbrough, if Sunderland went down this season.
Kyle Naughton
The right back has really established himself as competent Premier League player and is currently playing his trade with Welsh side, Swansea City.
Naughton was loaned out to Middlesbrough in 2010 and appeared 15 times for the club. The full back is known for his attacking bursts down the right hand side, but he can also defend.
Since the arrival of Italian manager, Francesco Guidolin, Naughton has not been included as much as he would like.
The right back could be a great signing for Boro and could really inject some stability into the back four that they will need as they face some of the best English sides.
Robert Huth
The giant German defender enjoyed three seasons with Middlesbrough back in 2006 and made over 50 appearances for the club.
During his final moments in his Boro career, he was affected with several injuries that effectively led to the club to be relegated from the Premier League during his absence.
Huth is currently playing at Leicester City and has helped them to be serious title challengers this season.
However, with the club certain of playing Champions League football next year, the defender is unlikely to be used against some of the best sides in Europe.
In addition, Leicester will want to strengthen their squad in the summer and will look to bring in top-class defenders as they have leaked more goals than they should have this season.
Huth would bring stability to the defence and would be an excellent signing to bring back to the club.
Sean St Ledger
The Republic of Ireland international has been a prominent defender over the past decade and is best known his time with Preston North End.
He had a loan spell with Middlesbrough back in 2009 and made just 16 appearances. The defender is extremely experienced and could fit into the Middlesbrough defence perfectly.
Even though the club have been recognised for their unstoppable defence this season, they will need experience as the likes of Ayala and Gibson are in their early 20’s.
St Ledger has played against some of the best players in the world during his time on international duty and would not be fazed to face up to some of the country’s best talent.
Middlesbrough fans… Would you like to see these former players back at the club? What are you best memories of these players during their time at Riverside? Let us know in your thoughts and opinions below!