Pogatetz praises Boro's local heroes as crucial derby with Sunderland looms

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Both Sunderland and Middlesbrough were dragged back into the relegation fight at the weekend with poor results and another defeat for Roy Keane's side could have serious implications.

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His men were bitterly disappointing in losing to rivals Sunderland on Sunday and Pogatetz believes having such a strong crop of local players on Saturday could prove vital.

Gareth Southgate's side finished their defeat to Bolton with five homegrown players. Sunderland in contrast had only the Newcastle-born Michael Chopra in their lifeless loss at St James' Park.

"There are so many local lads in the team here now and they all very badly want to win this game," he said.

"They are all Boro fans who have grown up in the area and they all know exactly what these derby games mean to the supporters.

"They know how important it is for local pride that we do well against Sunderland and they will be trying even harder than usual to get a positive result.

"There is a very different pressure about them because there is so much at stake and so much expectation from the fans but that is what you play football for, games with a special atmosphere.

"We are unbeaten in the derbies so far this season and that is good but it will feel a lot better if we can get our first win, and we know that if we play the way we can then we can win it. We are confident of that."

Middlesbrough are still not mathematically safe while Sunderland sit precariously five points above the drop zone, with Bolton away and Arsenal at home to follow their derby.

Pogatetz added: "It is important for us, not just for local pride but also because we want to make sure we are safe in the Premier League quickly and make up for the Bolton result which has made it difficult for us.

"Now it is too close for comfort in the table. If we had won that game, or if we had won against Reading, then we could have gone into the last few games with no pressure and could have tried a few things, been a bit more offensive and maybe excited the fans.

"Now it is a nervous finish for us and for the fans and not very enjoyable although it has been that way every year I have been here so far, but we are all confident that we will pull away."