Middlesbrough's Grant Leadbitter aiming to build on good Championship start

Middlesbrough midfielder Grant Leadbitter has brushed off his blistering start to the season to focus his mind on promotion.

Leadbitter has scored six goals in eight appearances to date, prompting a glowing assessment of his contribution from manager Aitor Karanka.

However, the former Sunderland and Ipswich man is not content to revel in personal praise and is concentrating on the task of helping to drag the Teessiders into the Sky Bet Championship's top six.

Leadbitter told the Northern Echo: "It has been a good start for me, but it could have been better. We want to win more games and I want a few more goals.

"Don't get sucked in by me being high in the league's goalscorer charts - we are a good group in the dressing room and we want this club fighting for a top-six position.

"Players should never be happy, they should be pushing for more. Everyone is vying for the club and that's a good sign."