GARETH SOUTHGATE last night recited a familiar phrase used by Kevin Keegan as Middlesbrough look to record their first double over the Magpies in 16 years.

Not since 1991 have Boro followed up an early season victory over Newcastle with a similar result but this afternoon, following the narrow October success at the Riverside Stadium, Southgate's men have the opportunity to improve on that.

That previous occasion brought two successes in the old Division Two and it is even longer, dating back to 1977-78, that Middlesbrough last recorded a top-flight double over their North-East rivals.

And there is an eagerness on Southgate's part to complete the job. It is an opinion that has rubbed off on the recent acquisitions, South Korean Dong Gook Lee even approached his manager this week in training to say 'it's a big game this isn't it?'

Southgate, of course, is aware Newcastle regard themselves as the bigger club, although he suggests it is Boro who have enjoyed the better fortunes in recent past.

The Middlesbrough boss was the captain who lifted the Carling Cup in 2004 and led the side out in Eindhoven last May in the UEFA Cup final, while Newcastle fans need no reminding that their last piece of major silverware was in 1969.

"I didn't know that it was so long since we did the double," said Southgate. "It's a statistic that doesn't bother me too much. We are on the back of a run of one defeat in 13 and we are full of confidence.

"My players know the importance of it because so many of the lads are from the area. There's pressure on Newcastle because their fans will not want to be turned over twice. There's not much between the two teams. Over 28 games this season it's very close between us.

"We feel we have a smaller squad than they have but in recent times we have had more success as a club."

With Andrew Davies, Stuart Parnaby, Lee Cattermole, Jonathan Woodgate and Stewart Downing all hailing from this region there is sufficient local pride within the squad that will be at stake inside St James' Park.

Newcastle can also boast North-East youngsters Steven Taylor and Paul Huntington in their ranks, and Southgate expects Newcastle to seriously test Middlesbrough's hopes of extending an impressive run of just one defeat in 2007.

"They are all growing up as a group and all appreciate the importance of this fixture," said Southgate. "To coin a saying from an ex-Newcastle manager, they would all love it for us to beat them.

"I want my players to go and play as they did when they were kids. Sometimes as pros there's too much fear in games but I want them to go to Newcastle and play as free as they possibly can. I want them to perform to the best and that's all I can ask."

Middlesbrough's visit to Tyneside will see Woodgate return to St James' Park for the first time since he left Newcastle in August 2004.

But Southgate, reiterating why he is so determined to retain the defender's services beyond this season, feels there will be someone else in the visitors' starting line-up that will receive a much harsher reception from the sell-out Geordie crowd.

"Do I have any advice for Woody going back to St James'? Don't stand too close to Julio Arca," said Southgate, referring to Boro's former Sunderland midfielder.

* Tickets for Boro's FA Cup quarter-final home tie with Manchester United next Saturday are priced £20 adults and £10 concessions.