Ghana winger Albert Adomah was excluded from Middlesbrough's starting line-up in their English Championship match against MK Dons on Tuesday night for tactical reasons, the club's coach has revealed.

Aitor Karanka says the Ghanaian was not excluded because they had bust-up with the coach before the 1-1 draw with the MK Dons that took them to the top of the Championship table.

The Spanish said Adomah wasn't included in the matchday 18 and after the game, Karanka confirmed why the winger was absent.

"It was a tactical decision," he said.
"I know how important Albert is for us but when you have our squad I have to try to choose the right 18 and I though this 18 was the best."

Boro were trailing at the Stadium MK when sub Jordan Rhodes headed home an equaliser three minutes into stoppage time to make it 1-1.

Dean Bowditch fired the hosts into a ninth minute lead but, despite plenty of pressure, Karanka's men struggled to test keeper David Martin.

That was until Rhodes, a 68th minute replacement for Adam Forshaw, popped up to score the goal that secured a point that made sure Boro reclaimed the lead in the Championship table.

Rhodes came off the bench for the final 22 minutes of Boro's 1-1 draw at MK Dons, with his stoppage-time header sending the Teessiders one point clear of previous league leaders Hull City.