THEY might have suffered a crushing defeat at home to struggling Peterborough United on Tuesday, but Tony Mowbray believes Millwall's current run does not give a true reflection of Kenny Jackett's side.

Boro aren't the only side in the Championship to have gone through a sticky patch in the opening months of the year and the Lions are currently on a six game winless run in the league.

Such form has seen Jackett's men slip ten points adrift of Boro in the final play-off place, but having seen his side go down 3-1 at The Den earlier this season, Mowbray isn't reading too much into recent results.

Like today's opponents, the Teessiders have only won once in 2013 and both sides will be desperate to take the points at the Riverside today.

Mowbray had identified several danger men in the Millwall squad and he has warned his players they must not look too much into their 5-1 defeat midweek.

"It wasn't so long ago that they won five away games on the bounce," Mowbray said. "They are powerful, with big Liam Trotter and Nadjim Abdou in midfield.

They are big guys, powerful running machines that can run right through your midfield.

"They have James Henry on the right wing who has great delivery and also Rob Hulse is now in their team who can score goals. So they are a threat.

"And never mind Danny Shittu at the back, when he gets forward at corners he is like a 6ft 6 monster who can head the ball.

"You have to give them every respect and yet you see the 5-1 defeat at home to Peterborough where everything went against them - hey, we've been there ourselves.

"Losing five goals is very much going against the grain of what they have been doing this season. So we won't under-estimate them.

"Millwall have shown this season they are a capable team."

With several players nursing injuries, Mowbray is unlikely to have anymore options available today, but Scott McDonald could return to the squad after a back problem.

The Boro boss revealed yesterday he will be careful with the Australian international having seen several players break down after returning from injury.

That means Mowbray will decide between Marvin Emnes, Ishamael Miller and Curtis Main as the focal point of his attack. The Boro boss has opted for a 4-4-2 system in recent games, but with home advantage he could bring in Mustapha Carayol and Emmanuel Ledesma to offer a more threatening attacking presence.

Meanwhile, former Boro midfielder Kevin Thomson is training with Scottish Premier League side Hibernian.

Thomson's contract was terminated by mutual consent on January 31 after the Scotland international spent three years on Teesside.