TONY PULIS is hoping Rudy Gestede will be able to shake off an ankle problem to maintain his improved goalscoring form in Saturday’s Wear-Tees derby with Sunderland.

Gestede trebled his Championship tally for the season as he scored twice in Middlesbrough’s comprehensive 3-1 win over Hull City.

Patrick Bamford claimed Boro’s other goal with a deft lofted finish over Allan McGregor, with the victory lifting the Teessiders back to within two points of the play-off places.

They could force themselves into the top six with a win at the Stadium of Light if other results go their way, but Gestede’s participation in this weekend’s derby is in doubt after he needed the help of two medical staff to be able to hobble from the field last night.

The former Blackburn striker could barely walk as he limped down the tunnel, having damaged his ankle in a stoppage-time collision with a Hull defender. Pulis is hoping the injury is not as bad as it initially appeared, and is also hoping last night’s double will spur Gestede to more goalscoring success in the next few weeks.

“I think he’s caught his ankle when he slid into a challenge late on,” said the Boro boss. “We won’t know until the next couple of days. It was very sore coming in, but I think it’s eased off a little bit since then, so we’ll wait and see. Hopefully he’ll be okay.

“Goals are everything for strikers, so fingers crossed that helps and provides a big boost. We’ve been a little bit shy in front of goal, so for Rudy to get two is great, and he could have had a third one really with the one that hit the post.

“He could have come off tonight with a hat-trick.  He’s missed a bit of the season, and his fitness levels are not what you’d really want them to be.

“I thought Patrick was having quite a poor time in the first half, but then he comes up with that wonderful, wonderful goal, which will give him a lift too. That’s what he needs.”

Pulis had been critical of his side’s performance as they crashed to a 1-0 defeat at Cardiff City at the weekend, but last night’s display was much more effective at both ends of the field.

Boro did not suffer from the last-minute withdrawal of Ben Gibson, who took ill during the warm-up, with Dael Fry slotting in to partner Daniel Ayala at the heart of the back four.

Gestede and Bamford impressed in attack, although it was Adama Traore who once again caught the eye as he repeatedly ran the Hull defence ragged.

Traore’s pace and trickery enabled Boro to take the game to their opponents all night, and the winger had a hand in both of Gestede’s goals as well as setting up the striker for a header that hit the post.

“He needs to keep running straight instead of running across the pitch,” said Pulis. “When he takes people on and challenges them in one-on-one situations, he’s unstoppable.

“The great thing about Adama now is that in every game we’re playing, he’s creating chances either for himself or for the team. When I first came here, he was doing a lot of things without any end product. You look at him now and, during the game, he is producing stuff for other players and producing stuff for himself.”

The win means Boro have won their last two home games, and while Hull’s position on the edge of the relegation zone has to be taken into account, Pulis’ side are beginning to show signs of cohesion.

“It was a great three points for us, and I think we deserved the victory,” he said. “There were good things and bad things again, and during the game that can frustrate you, but it’s a really good three points.

“Hull have some good players, and they’re well set up under Nigel (Adkins). He knows the league, and he’s got them well set up. They’re difficult to play against, so scoring three goals at home and winning, I’m really pleased.”