Middlesbrough looking to end wait for away victory at league leaders

Tonight they travel to Bloomfield Road to face Ian Holloway’s Blackpool, before heading to leaders Blackburn Rovers on Friday night.

For a side yet to pick up their first point away from home, it’s a daunting task for Tony Mowbray’s side but goalkeeper Jason Steele says they will travel in good heart after a 2-0 win over Ipswich Town on Saturday.

”First and foremost, the win is the most important thing,” said Steele. “In my opinion I’m not so sure we deserved to win 2-0. We probably didn’t play as well as we would like, but a win is a win.”

Blackpool have already won many plaudits for their play this campaign, and may recall Stephen Crainey and Barry Ferguson to their starting line up, but defender Ian Evatt should keep his place after returning from injury.

Holloway has a fully fit squad to choose from with Nouha Dicko, Nathan Eccleston and Nathan Delfouneso pushing for starts.

”I think it will be a good game between two good footballing teams and I just hope we can put a smile on the face of the travelling fans and give them something to shout about,” said Steele.

”In this division there will be games when you have to dig in with your backs to the wall and grind a result out, Saturday was one of those days,” says Steele. “Two-nil looks comfortable, but it wasn’t.

“But of course we’ll take it and move on to Blackpool. There are a lot of positives and the squad is looking strong again.”

Middlesbrough’s Andre Bikey should start his second game this season after impressing in the win over Ipswich.

Striker Lukas Jutkiewicz should continue after returning from injury.