TONY PULIS will use next weekend’s trip to Ipswich Town to ensure his Middlesbrough side are primed for the Championship play-offs after they booked their place in the top six with a 2-0 win over Millwall.

Goals from Britt Assombalonga and Jonny Howson ensured Boro are guaranteed to finish in either fifth or sixth position, setting up a play-off semi-final against either Cardiff City, Fulham or Aston Villa.

They have to travel to Portman Road first though, and Pulis will use next Sunday’s game to make sure his players are in peak shape for the play-offs.

The Middlesbrough boss said: “We’re delighted that we’re now in the play-offs. Now, it’s a case of looking forward to the Ipswich game, and then going on from there.

“One or two players might need a rest, and one or two players might be taken out of the Ipswich game. Alternatively, I might go with the same team.

“I’ll have a good look at it next week and have a good chat with the boys, and see where they are. Then we’ll look forward to those play-off games.

“The most important thing is that we’re right when we turn up here for the play-offs. The Ipswich game is important because it’s the next game, and anyone who knows me as a man or a manager will know that every game I go in to, I want to win. But it’s about finding the right balance, and concentrating on what is really important for us.”

Pulis was pleased with his players’ performance this afternoon as they comfortably outplayed a Millwall side that have exceeded all expectations since they were promoted from League One last season.

Assombalonga’s 12th-minute strike set them on their way, before Howson made the game safe as he capitalised on a goalkeeping error from Jordan Archer to tap home from close range.

He said: “We knew it was going to be a tough game. Neil and Millwall Football Club have had an exceptional season. They’re a team. They’ve got a very competitive group of players who work tremendously hard for one another, and they squeeze the pips out of everything.

“They were well set up today and they’re one of the big over-achievers in the Championship. I think Neil should be very proud of the group of players he’s got and the effort and commitment they give him every game.

“We knew we’d have to compete with Millwall, and then when we got the opportunities, we had to play the way we can play. We’ve got some good footballers in the team.

“We had lots of the ball in the first half, but didn’t really create enough chances or have enough shots at goal. That was my criticism at half-time. But I’m very, very pleased with the result and the performance.”