Middlesbrough’s manager believes Fulham will be twice as dangerous now the Whites are safe from relegation.

Aitor Karanka brings his high-flying side to Craven Cottage tomorrow looking for automatic promotion after a heartening 2-0 away win at Norwich last week, likewise looking for a return to the Premier League.

But the Boro boss insists Fulham will pose as much a threat as the out-of-tune Canaries.

Ruled out: James Husband (R)

Karanka said: “It is going to be a very tough game because Fulham are now safe and have very good players so when these kind of players are playing without pressure it is going to be a very tough game for us.

"We have to win. We made mistakes against Bournemouth and Watford and now we can’t make more mistakes.

“We need to win both games and we are working to beat Fulham on Saturday and then we will prepare for Brighton (last game next week).”

“I think it’s worse to play to avoid relegation, but when you are playing to achieve something it is always amazing.”

Fulham will be without Boro loanee James Husband, ineligible against his parent club. Likewise, the White who went the opposite direction, Fernando Amorebieta, is also ruled out.

Fullham boss Kit Symons is likely to name Sean Kavanagh in Husband’s place at left-back, as he looks to revenge a 2-0 defeat at the Riverside in October (see gallery) that was the start of Amorebieta's injury problems.

Keep up to date with all the build-up, matchday and post-game reaction to Fulham v Middlesbrough right here on getwestlondon