As we enter the final weeks of the season, Middlesbrough look poised to make a case for a top six finish.

They're two points clear of seventh-placed Cardiff City and hunting Derby County in fifth.

They face Wolves on Good Friday and will be looking to take maximum points tomorrow against Brentford ahead of the international break. Manager Tony Pulis is no stranger to promotion battles and he's been offering words of advice to his players.

"You have a look at the league and the teams involved and who can still get involved in the shake-up," reports the Hartlepool Mail. "They will understand and recognise that it will go right to the end. No-one can afford to be complacent and we certainly can't."

Pulis guided Stoke to the Premier League in 2008, with his side losing just one of their final nine games in the run in that season. Even with Wolves on the radar, Pulis admitted Brentford would be a stern test of their promotion credentials.

"Dean Smith's done a great job there, they're a great footballing team and they've played some outstanding football this season against some very good teams, but we have to concentrate on what we do best."

Brentford are currently 11th in the table, eight points outside the top six with very slim hopes of a promotion push themselves.

The Verdict

Defeat tomorrow for Brentford ends their promotion hopes, but a loss would severely damage Boro's hopes too. Sheffield United and Bristol City will both be looking for them to slip up and Pulis is right to warn against complacency.

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