Boro boss wary of Rovers' strikers

Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren has warned his side about the menace posed by Blackburn strike duo Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke ahead of tomorrow’s showdown at the Riverside Stadium.

McClaren knows all about the two ex-Manchester United strikers following his spell as assistant manager at Old Trafford and tried to take Yorke to Teesside last season.

But in England defenders Gareth Southgate and Ugo Ehiogu, the Boro boss believes he has the answer to the Cole-Yorke partnership.

“When you look at football matches there are always important areas. It will be a tremendous challenge for Southgate and Ehiogu,” he said.

“Cole and Yorke have linked up well. On their day they can be a big threat, so we will have to be aware of that.

“I tried to sign Yorke last season so I know what he can do. I know a lot about Andy Cole as well.”

Boro lost two points against Fulham last Saturday when lapses of concentration led to two late goals for the visitors in a 2-2 draw.

And McClaren warned his squad: “My players must play until the final whistle. The players were as disappointed as anyone over conceding late goals last week.

“We cannot afford lapses of concentration against Blackburn who are an effective attacking side.

“I’m not saying the loss of two home points last Saturday puts more pressure on this game. There is pressure in every game.

“Hopefully, we have learned a harsh lesson.”

However, the game at least showed Middlesbrough have found a new scoring hero in Italian summer signing Massimo Maccarone.

McClaren took a gamble when he signed the 22-year-old from Empoli because the striker had not even played top-flight football in his own country.

But Maccarone backed his new manager’s judgement with two goals in a sparkling home debut against Fulham.

And it appears the speedy Maccarone could also give Alen Boksic a new lease of life in the twilight of his career.

“Boksic has trained very hard since he came back from the World Cup,” noted McClaren.

“He has linked up well with Maccarone and I think the partnership will prove an exciting double act.

“Both players looked as though they enjoyed playing alongside each other last Saturday.

“We now hope they can produce an effective partnership week in and week out. Attitude is very important in the game these days.”

McClaren will make a late choice in his defence between Frenchman Franck Queudrue and Colin Cooper.

Cooper gave a capable performance on his recall against Fulham but Queudrue could get the vote as Middlesbrough seek to avenge last season’s home defeat by Blackburn.

The 24-year-old hopes he will have his first run-out of the season after completing a three-match ban.

The £2.5million signing from French club Lens said: “It is not easy watching games while your team-mates are playing. But the ban is over and I cannot wait to get back.

“I think this can be a very good season for Middlesbrough. We have got a chance to do well because we can be a surprise team.

“This season I think we can finish in the top seven. We are very strong at the back, and in midfield, and we have a lot of good strikers.”

Queudrue has committed his future to Middlesbrough by signing a five-year contract after being on loan at the Riverside Stadium last season.