GARRY MONK has urged Middlesbrough to maintain the standards they set against Ipswich Town last weekend by warming up for Christmas by delivering a repeat performance at Millwall.

The Boro boss was speaking at the club’s Rockliffe Park training HQ this morning and has reported a fully fit squad ahead Saturday’s trip to The Den.

Middlesbrough face trips to Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday before the home date against Bolton on Boxing Day; three fixtures which are crucial if they are to close the five-point gap to the play-off places.

After dealing with increased pressure on his shoulders following defeats to Leeds, Derby and Bristol City, Monk is keen to see Middlesbrough continue with the right notes they hit in the win over Ipswich.

“Against the side who were second highest scorers, we won the game quite comfortably,” said Monk. “The key is we build the momentum. Coming up to the Christmas period, we have to build on it.

"We know all the teams in the second half of the season will be thinking the same but the hunger and desire we showed against Ipswich has to be maintained.

“You go through difficult moments in the Championship season, we know we should have done better than we have so far but that has not been through a lack of effort.

“It has been our own undoing rather than what anyone else has been doing. There is room for improvement definitely. It is vital we keep that hunger, we have to build through this Christmas period.”

Millwall sit towards the bottom end of the Championship but have won five of their games at home so Middlesbrough know it will be a tough place to go – as The Den tends to be.

Monk said: “It shouldn’t bother us. Every ground has a different atmosphere. That’s not the focus.

"If we show the same desire, we were very solid against Ipswich, defensively we were very good even though they were the second highest scorers in the league. In that sense it doesn’t matter where we go, if we show the same levels we are OK.

“Millwall have made a solid start to the season, are an organised team and have a good work ethic.

"Going to their place, looking at their home games, they will have thought it needs to be a fortress for them with that atmosphere.

“We also know though if we get ourselves to the right levels then we will be difficult opposition for them. We need to build.

“I don’t think the division has settled yet. There is a team building momentum who will lose it, this is the league it is and why it is the most competitive.

"There will be more ups and downs for all the teams. The margin for error becomes less and less as the season goes on. We have to make sure we build momentum now.”