Albion head coach Oscar Garcia will get the silent treatment from compatriot Aitor Karanka before their Spanish showdown at the Riverside Stadium today.

The rival bosses know each other well from their playing careers with Barcelona and Real Madrid and as colleagues for Spain.

Boro chief Karnaka said: “We played together and against each other many times. We have a good relationship.

“But we haven’t spoken on the phone. No doubt we will speak after the final whistle but before a game I don’t have friends.”