Boro travel to the Stadium of Light to play Sunderland on Saturday on the back of a 1-0 loss which means they are not yet certain of avoiding relegation from the Barclays Premier League.

Pogatetz, the 25-year-old Austria international, has called on his players to keep their focus against Roy Keane's side.

"We have to be able to maintain our standards for 90 minutes," Pogatetz told the club's official website.

"There is no point us being disappointed for too long - the next game is coming and we need to be on top form to get the points.

"We have to make sure we perform well at Sunderland and maybe we can get a win away from home to make up for Saturday."

www.mfc.premiumtv.co.uk