Middlesbrough face a six-pointer away to bottom of the table Preston at Deepdale today.
Tony Mowbray’s side could end the day at the bottom on the table or gain some breathing space with a five point advantage over Darren Ferguson’s club.
Boro go into the match at the centre of transfer speculation with rumours linking Kris Boyd with a move away from the club as well as speculation over a loan move for Jonathan Woodgate who like Mowbray comes from Middlebrough.
One win and just five goals scored away from home from 11 games tells the story of Middlesbrough’s season with Mowbray desperate to avoid the relegation scrap.
There are only 13 points separating the relegation spots from the play-off places with the former Celtic boss refusing to rule out a push for promotion despite his side’s lowly position.
“I have always been a coach who tries not to study the table too much,” Mowbray explained.
“I try to just concentrate on winning points and you know if you get so many points, you will be doing one thing or another.
“What is the magic target for us to first and foremost get to? I don’t know, somewhere over 50 points in this league keeps you away from the bottom areas.
“We have got a few games to win just to get to that point, so we need to concentrate week in, week out trying to pick up points.
“If we get there very quickly, then let’s just see how many games are left and what gaps there are between teams. You never give up on anything.
“I wouldn’t sit here and tell you we are just fighting relegation and I wouldn’t sit here and say we are definitely shooting at the play-offs. We just have to win some games and see where it takes us.”
Preston won their last match 1-0 at home to Ipswich. One of Mowbray’s Celtic transfer targets, Sean St-Ledger, is likely to continue on the bench for the home team.
Elsewhere in the Championship Watford are at home to second placed Cardiff while Norwich host manager-less Sheffield United.
Olivier Kapo- 46th Celt on 2010
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