Venus can press for permanent Boro role

The Boro caretaker-manager could make his claims for the permanent post irresistibly strong with a polished winning performance at Blackburn, a venue which was kind to the Teessiders last term.

A brace from Lukas Jutkiewicz gave Boro the spoils at Rovers, in the dying embers of former manager Steve Kean’s reign in September, 2012, on a memorable Friday evening in front of the TV cameras.

Another televised Friday night special was produced by Boro in last week’s thrilling 4-0 success over Doncaster Rovers at the Riverside Stadium when Venus was handed the reins in place of axed manager Tony Mowbray.

Backing up that performance is the aim for Venus, who would be forgiven for wishing the game could have been staged last night on the box.

Venus said: “It would be nice to play every Friday. It seems to be the lucky night for us!

“We produced a performance there last year and beat Blackburn, but it’s a different place now. It will be a tough game typical of this league.”

While Boro’s front four of Albert Adomah, who has plundered five goals in his past three games, Mustapha Carayol, Kei Kamara and Marvin Emnes will pose considerable threat if they follow up their exploits last week, Venus is under no illusions that the Lancastrians also possess a potent weapon.

Namely £8m man Jordan Rhodes, with the ex-Huddersfield goal poacher having hit 10 goals already this term.

Venus added: “Their squad is closer to the Premier League because they came down after us and they have got some players who cost a lot of money.

“The manager there has got them organised. They pass the ball and have a bit of power and they also have a guy who puts the ball in the back of the net.”

Up against Rhodes will be former England defender Jonathan Woodgate, who suffered no reaction to his comeback from injury against Doncaster last week.

Rumoured Boro managerial contender Aitor Karanka, ex-Real Madrid assistant to Jose Mourinho, is also reportedly attracting interest from Crystal Palace and a French club.