HE was part of Middlesbrough’s squad at the start of the season, but Richie Smallwood is determined to put a major dent in his hometown club’s promotion ambitions when he returns to the Riverside this weekend.

Smallwood, who played for Boro in last August’s League Cup win at Oldham, has made 36 appearances for Rotherham since moving to the New York Stadium last summer, and has emerged as a key performer in a Millers side that look like completing a successful battle against the drop.

Monday’s 1-0 win over Brighton lifted Rotherham seven points clear of the relegation zone, and means the South Yorkshire side head to Teesside on Saturday knowing a victory would all but guarantee their Championship survival.

Middlesbrough’s need for three points is equally as great, with this week’s 2-0 defeat at Watford having dropped Aitor Karanka’s side into fourth position with just five games of the season remaining.

Smallwood, who hails from Dormanstown, would love to see Boro playing in the Premier League next season, but he will be shelving all sentiment at the weekend as he attempts to put one over on his former employers.

“It will be the first time I’ve gone back there, and it’s one I’m looking forward to,” said Smallwood, who was never quite able to carve out a regular spot in the Boro midfield despite making 72 senior appearances for the club. “They’ve had a very good season. They’re on the verge of being promoted and definitely look like being in the play-offs.

“Obviously, it will be a tough game for us. They’re hard to beat, hard to score against, but I think with the game we play, if we can get it right, our high-tempo game, I think we can cause them a few problems, as long as we defend well.

“One of their main players, (Grant) Leadbitter, is out suspended, and obviously that gives us a big lift. I’m looking forward to it and it will be a proud day for me and my family.”

Former Boro boss Tony Mowbray was a strong admirer of Smallwood’s combative midfield qualities, and there was a time towards the end of the 2012-13 campaign when he looked like cementing a place in the side.

He appeared fleetingly last season, starting Karanka’s first game as Boro head coach at Leeds, but was quickly shuffled aside with the likes of Leadbitter, Dean Whitehead and loanee Nathaniel Chalobah taking precedence at the heart of midfield.

Adam Clayton’s arrival in the summer effectively signalled the beginning of the end for him, but he continues to count a number of Boro players as some of his closest allies in the game.

“I’ve got quite a few friends there,” he said. “A couple have left, but I still know a lot of the people at the club, the players, the coaching staff and the other staff behind the scenes.

“I’m looking forward to seeing them. I’m after a few tickets, so I’ll see who I can ask and get a few off them! I’m friends with a couple of the young ones – Adam Reach and Ben Gibson – and even a few of the older lads – Leadbitter, Whitehead. I’ll be drafting a few texts I think.”

* Boro have received an additional allocation of a further 1,000 tickets for their final away game of the season at Fulham on Saturday, April 25.

Almost 2,500 tickets have already been sold for the game at Craven Cottage, with the sale being opened up to Boro Pride members at 9.30am this morning. Any remaining tickets will go on general sale on Friday.