INFLUENTIAL skipper Paul Ince is urging his Boro teammates to show the fans what their made of, in a bid to get the Riverside faithful back in full voice.

Ince believes the players need to show a greater degree of mental toughness to get the fans back on-side, and put what has been a miserable home run behind them.

Boro's abysmal showing this term on Teesside - where they have won only three times this season - is the main reason they find themselves just six points off a relegation spot.

The last time they picked up all three points at the Riverside was when Derby visited back on January 13.

Ince said: "I've said it before, but we need to be mentally stronger when we play at home, because it's not easy when the fans start moaning.

"But I understand how they feel and it's up to us. What we have to do is to start to get them singing again.

"At home with the results going the way they have gone this season, the crowd's been apprehensive.

"We have tended to panic a bit and not play the way we should play.

"We seem to be nervous at home and I can't really put my finger on it because as we saw against Leicester we've got players out there who can play.

"Maybe it's a case of it being a mental thing rather than the ability of the players."

Ince hopes that mental toughness will be in evidence when Champions Man Utd head to Middlesbrough this weekend, with a point for the Boro likely to be enough to secure Premiership status.

The England midfielder needs no incentive to raise his own standards and, along with Paul Okon, has been Boro's best player over recent games.

He said: "I'm up for every game and you have to be when you're down where we are.

"It's always nice to play against your old club and see all your old mates.

"But it's more important we get a result (on Saturday). If we can get a point or something from the game and if things go our way in other matches then we'll be safe."

Although not mathematically safe - relegation appears now a very slim possibility for Boro - Ince believes they still can't let their standards slip.

Ince said: "We've just got to concentrate on our job now. We're in the driving seat, and the situation is in our hands now.

"If we don't do it then we've only got ourselves to blame."

Once safety is guaranteed Ince hopes the club can then persuade Terry Venables - again linked with the Valencia job - to extend his Riverside stay.

"Fingers crossed he'll stay" said Ince. It' important that we stay in the Premiership, and the club will address the situation when we're safe. I'm sure Terry would say exactly the same thing."

l Lee Canoville's attempt to win a move from Arsenal to Middlesbrough has been cut short by Arsene Wenger.

Injury problems at Highbury have prompted Wenger to recall 20-year-old Canoville, who started a trial at Middlesbrough last week.

But Middlesbrough may be ready to offer the England youth international another opportunity to impress them.

Canoville has been a regular in the Gunners' reserves, but his only first-team appearance was as a second-half substitute when Arsenal lost to Ipswich in the Worthington Cup this season.

Ealing-born Canoville has played at centre-back and in midfield for Arsenal's second string, but his best position is believed to be in defence.

Boro were among several Premiership clubs watching Brighton's game at Halifax on Monday night.

The focus of attention was Brighton striker Bobby Zamora, who looks certain to leave the south coast club this summer. Zamora's 28 goals have attracted atttention from Boro, Southampton and Ipswich.

Brighton have already turned down offers from Cardiff and Wigan but now have reluctantly accepted they won't be able to turn down a bid of more than £2m.

Read more about Middlesbrough FC here.