Negredo and Boro looking for derby boost

Alvaro Negredo insists that a Middlesbrough victory in the North East derby against Sunderland can catapult them to safety in the Premier League run-in.

Boro and the Black Cats are the bottom two sides in the table, and defeat for either side would leave them staring down the barrel of relegation to the Championship.

Currently nine points away from safety, Boro have not won since Christmas – their last league victory a 3-0 success over Swansea on December 17.

They badly need victory this weekend and Negredo is well aware of the boost that could provide the entire squad.

“Derbies are always a must-win game,” he said.

(Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

“This game is very important as a derby but also in the circumstances. Things can be turned around if we win and it can be a real boost for the next few games.

“Hopefully we can get that result. Obviously, it’s a very difficult situation – we’re the first to know that.

“We have to stick together, and keep fighting because we still have a chance.

“I didn’t come here to sit down and wait, I will fight until the end and my teammates will do the same.”