Middlesbrough v Hull City: Dawson aiming to celebrate milestone with victory

On the back of victories against Preston and Ipswich, City assistant Craig Shakespeare believes the Tigers' spirits are high and the club can continue to climb the table but remains aware of the threat that Tony Mowbray's Boro side will pose.

"If anything, our confidence has been buoyed by last week's win at home, but the two away performances that went before were good," said Shakespeare.

"Boro will be disappointed with the recent results but the squad that they've got suggests that when they do get a good result, they'll go on a run. We've got to make sure that run doesn't start against us.

Boro completed a double over the Tigers in the last campaign with wins at both the Riverside and the KC and have won 17 of the 38 league meetings between the two sides.

With Paul McShane, Jay Simpson and new loan signing Cameron Stewart added to the City squad, Pearson's Tigers will be looking to set the record straight.

Stewart, 19, completed his loan switch from Manchester United this week and is relishing the prospect of playing for Hull.

"You always aim to play every week, but any games I get are a bonus. I'm excited to be at Hull City and it would be great to be involved against Middlesbrough at the weekend," said Stewart.

Boro, already missing Kevin Thomson, will probably have to cope without Gary O'Neil, who has failed to recover as quickly as predicted from a knee injury.

"With rest, Thomson is fit enough to start games, but the spot he broke his leg is still sore. This weekend is probably too soon for O'Neil. We'll assess the situation before the game," said Mowbray.

In what promises to be a tight and tense affair with both sides all too aware of their surroundings near the foot of the table, Hull City stalwart Andy Dawson, who makes his 250th appearance for the club, believes the Tigers can overcome their Championship rivals.

"We're on a good run at the moment and we go there full of confidence that we're capable of getting the three points," he said.

Hull City lie 19th with the Teessiders in 22nd, three points from safety.