Boro continue Cup marathon

ByReuters

Published 12/04/2006 at 18:58 GMT

Middlesbrough will play their 22nd cup tie this season on Wednesday as Steve McClaren's side take on Charlton in the FA Cup quarter final replay. The first game at the Valley finished goalless, meaning yet another two legged affair for the Teesiders in wh

FOOTBALL 2005-2006 UEFA Cup Middlesbrough-Basel maccaroni

Image credit: Reuters

Boro are still in with a shout of European success after a fantastic run in the UEFA Cup, including last week's remarkable comeback against Basle, whilst success in the FA Cup would mean automatic qualification for European competition next season.

"Our 22nd cup tie, it's remarkable, but it's one of our biggest because the FA Cup gives us two games to get back into Europe - that's the target," said boss McClaren.

"The players know what's at stake, you have to trust them. It's down to them.

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"We're in one semi-final (the UEFA Cup), and hopefully we can get through to the final in that. Now there's another big prize at stake."

PUSH FOR SILVERWARE

The push for silverware continues at the Riverside on Wednesday with McClaren able to recall Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Gareth Southgate and Stuart Downing to reinforce the side that lost to Newcastle at the weekend.

For Charlton, Darren Bent returns from injury to give underfire manager Alan Curbishley another option up front, even if the striker's partner Marcus Bent will be cup tied.

Curbishley responded to the recent criticism that suggested his side play boring football emphatically.

"I wouldn't have been thanked if we were scrapping at the bottom, losing by three or four like we were.

"The amount of draws we've had is about average. It's all right sitting up in the stand saying entertain me, but we were getting heavily beaten and that didn't entertain me.

"The clean sheets have helped us back on track. Now that we've tightened up I want us to get back to being more fruitful in front of goal and start scoring some more."

A semi final date with West Ham at Villa Park on Sunday week awaits the winner.

Follow the match LIVE right here on eurosport.com from 21:00 cet on Wednesday!

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