Big doubts surround the future of Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka after a training ground row with his players on Friday.
The Spaniard will not take charge of Boro's match against Charlton on Sunday and did not attend Saturday morning's training session at the club's Rockliffe complex.
With Karanka's future in the balance, Middlesbrough released a club statement: “Middlesbrough Football Club can confirm that Aitor Karanka did not take training on Saturday morning.
“Assistant head coach Steve Agnew will take charge of the team for Sunday's fixture at Charlton Athletic.”
The statement somewhat addressed the concern of supporters, by concluding, “we appreciate supporters will want to know further details, but at this time the club cannot make any further comment and is solely focused on Sunday's game at The Valley.”
Middlesbrough have an opportunity to capitalise on the draws of rivals Hull, Brighton and Derby, but in disillusioned circumstances with Steve Agnew holding training since Tuesday.
Karanka has spent £23m this season in an attempt to end the club's seven-year absence from the Premier League, with fractures now apparent after last week's defeat to Rotherham United.
Despite this, Boro remain in the automatic promotion places, two points clear of Hull and Brighton in a hotly-contested Championship promotion race.
