ADAM CLAYTON has praised football’s ability to unite after Tuesday night’s international friendly between England and France, and hopes Middlesbrough can achieve something similar on Friday evening.

Boro host Queens Park Rangers in the Championship on Friday night in a game which will be televised live on Sky Sports, where a minute’s silence will be held to show respect to all those who lost their life in last Friday’s terrorist attacks in Paris.

Clayton, Middlesbrough’s tough-tackling midfielder, admitted he was left emotional by the tributes at Wembley on Tuesday night and hopes something similar can be achieved at the Riverside.

“I think the game on Tuesday was a massive statement to everyone that’s trying to bring sadness to the world,” said the former Leeds and Huddersfield midfielder in an interview with the club’s official website.

“The national anthem of France was sung by both the French and the English. That alone is good. Some people said the game shouldn’t go ahead but it’s a hard one because you’ve got to keep going and not let people win.

“It was very emotional watching the scenes at Wembley.

The Northern Echo: Fans outside Wembley ahead of the friendly between England and France

“Football is second place to what’s gone on but hopefully when we play on Friday on the TV, it can be a good game to bring everyone together and give those a smile back on their faces who haven’t had that for the last few days.”

Middlesbrough’s players have taken part in a photoshoot for a calendar to be sold in order to raise funds for the MFC Foundation to provide assistance to those who have lost their jobs after the collapse of the SSI steelworks recently.

Clayton, one of the players who took park, added: “I think in this part of the world the football is a massive factor. Middlesbrough people have passionate support so if we can get the area lifted and people smiling.

“If you come and see the Boro win 3-0 on a Saturday then that’s a very powerful thing. Sport is a very powerful tool and we should use it.”