MIDDLESBROUGH coach Colin Cooper is desperate to secure victory in the Tees- Tyne derby this weekend, but admits he wants to see Newcastle win the Championship.

Boro hope to be boosted by the return of Scott McDonald who will test his fitness on the training pitch in the next couple of days as Gordon Strachan’s side aim to match the firepower of a Magpies side who’ve netted 21 goals in their last seven games.

That’s in stark contrast to Boro who’ve scored only six times in the same spell to put their play-off bid in jeopardy.

There will be no love lost between the rivals at the Riverside on Saturday but Cooper put aside regional differences to hail Chris Hughton as “the ultimate professional” – and backed the Magpies to regain their place in the Premier League.

“Newcastle are fighting to win the Championship and I want to see them win it,” revealed the coach.

“Newcastle bear all the hallmarks of being a Premier League team so this is a great chance for some of our lads to test themselves against a side who are going to be playing top flight football next season.

“Newcastle is not a club that should be floundering in the Championship. Our goal is to get in the play-offs and join them. Chris is a fantastic man. He is the ultimate professional knows the game inside out.

“I have been very impressed but not surprised by his success.

He has been able to put his stamp on things in such a short space of time.

“The transition from coach to manager is a difficult one but he has been able to mould a group of players who maybe other people could have struggled to work with.

“There are some big characters with impressive pedigrees in their dressing room but that hasn’t phased him.

He’s taken talented individuals and made them a formidable team.

“They may not be the most aesthetically pleasing in the league but they are the grittiest with a genuine goal threat.

“Under Chris, many of them have gone up a notch – look at Andy Carroll who is focal point of Newcastle’s attack and Kevin Nolan who’s showing the form that got him to the England squad a few years ago.

“Lovenkrands has been a sensation since he came in. I see a lot of things in Newcastle that I see in Chris: well organised, hard-working and difficult to break down. It’s not luck that’s put them clear top it’s bloody hard work and honest endeavour.

“I might be Middlesbrough through and through but I am chuffed to bits for them. I wish we were going in to the weekend a point ahead of them but we’re not – so I wish them all the best to get back in the Premier League. It’s only good for the region.’’ Cooper underlined the importance of McDonald’s return to fitness.

“Our strongest XI is as good as Newcastle’s,’’ he insisted.

“The manager brought Scott in for one reason – to score goals.

“He’s played three games when he probably wasn’t fit enough and suffered. We need our best players on the pitch and hopefully he’ll be back this weekend.”

■ Boro fans can book their seats for Saturday.

Prices for Boro Pride members are £8 for under-18s and start at £14 18- 21s/over-65s and £21 adults.

Boro Pride members can also purchase a family ticket for one adult and one under- 18 in blocks 44 or 46 of the East Stand for just £27.

General sale prices are £13 under-18s and start at £16 over-65s and £23 adults.

18-21s pay adult general sale prices.

A family ticket in blocks 44 and 46 for supporters who are not Boro Pride members is £34.

Tickets are also available for Boro’s visit to Derby County next Tuesday, March 16 (7.45pm), together with the home games against Reading on Saturday, March 20 and Preston on Tuesday, March 23.

Seats can be booked by calling 0844 499 1234 24 hours a day, in person at the Riverside ticket office or MFC Official retail store in Captain Cook Square or online at mfc.co.uk.