West Bromwich Albion v Middlesbrough: Boro's promotion hopes out of our hands – Killen

championship: Middlesbrough striker Chris Killen knows the club's play-off bid will reach the point of no return today.

Boro head for The Hawthorns four points adrift of the race for the end-of-season lottery.

The Teessiders came down from the top flight with West Brom and Newcastle but fell off the pace after an encouraging start under then-manager Gareth Southgate.

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However, Southgate's successor, Gordon Strachan, has turned things around in recent weeks with an eight-game unbeaten run, although 28-year-old New Zealand international Killen knows only victory in each of their remaining games will keep the play-off dream alive.

He said: "We need to go and win all three games. Obviously, if the other teams win all their games, then it's no good to us.

"But we just need to go about our job first and foremost and make sure we get the results, and not leave any stone unturned."

Blackpool could still scupper Middlesbrough's ambitions as they are in pole position to sneak into the top six.

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Ian Holloway's side are two points off the play-offs and host Nottingham Forest today who have already booked their spot.

Fourth-placed Cardiff can also confirm their participation with victory at QPR while Leicester, in fifth, meet Watford in a clash vital to both teams.