STEWART DOWNING insists any lingering disappointment at Middlesbrough’s failure to beat Ipswich Town last weekend has long since disappeared.

Boro ceded top spot in the Championship table when they failed to break down Ipswich in a goalless draw last Saturday, meaning they head into their final two games locked together on points with both Burnley and Brighton.

The first of their last two matches comes at Birmingham City on Friday, and Downing insists any fall-out from last weekend was quickly forgotten as thoughts turned to the trip to St Andrew’s.

“We had a couple of days rest after the Ipswich game to get out of the building and clear our heads,” said Downing. “We trained on Tuesday, and it was all good.

“The lads are all buzzing for it this Friday. It’s all still in our hands, and that’s what we’ve been speaking about – we just need to keep winning the games.

“There are a lot of Boro fans going to Birmingham, including family and friends, and we need a good result for everyone. We’ll be looking to get on the front foot and, if we get at them, I think we can get a result.”

Around 5,000 fans are travelling to St Andrew’s on Friday, and with the final-day game with Brighton already sold out, Boro are assured of some vociferous support as their fate is sealed in the next nine days.

“The fans were really good at the weekend,” said Downing, in an interview with Middlesbrough’s official website. “I thought Ipswich came to defend and counter.

“We had a lot of chances in the game, then it gets a bit edgy and they’re maybe liable to nick a goal. But we kept going and creating, and the fans got behind us.

“That’s what you need because these can be nervy times for the players. The fans have always been good, Burnley was another example.

“I also thought we played well that night, and we’ve always got that good backing. It would be nice to get promoted and get over the line – more for the fans than anything.”