RUDY GESTEDE has endured a hard time from some Middlesbrough fans during his three years on Teesside, but he has outlined a wish to make sure his frustrating time at the Riverside does not end in relegation this summer.

No official decision has been made on the the 31-year-old’s future, but with his contract due to expire at the end of the campaign he is expected to depart for a new challenge.

Gestede’s current terms reflect a Premier League deal, having signed in January 2017 when Middlesbrough were battling to stay in the top-flight under Aitor Karanka.

But the 31-year-old, fresh from scoring at the Riverside for the first time in more than two years on Tuesday night against Nottingham Forest, has made it clear whatever happens he is focused on keeping Middlesbrough in the second tier.

“You don’t want this (relegation),” said Gestede. “Even if you are out of contract or if you have just signed a contract - or if you have a proposition from Madrid - you do not want this on your CV and you don’t want to go down.

“Unfortunately, I have been in this situation already and it is difficult to get over it.

“I know what to do to stay up and know what we have to avoid to go down, so we have to stick together and have the mentality to work together and in the end, I hope we are happy.”

Gestede has had more downs than ups during his time at Middlesbrough. Just this season he was booed after his August appearance in the Carabao Cup against Crewe and he had a run-in with a supporter at the end of the recent defeat at Barnsley.

But he scored his second goal of the season on only his 18th league start for Middlesbrough to help secure a point against Forest and he is determined to build on that at Charlton on Saturday and beyond.

“It is always good to score as a striker. It is good for confidence,” said Gestede. “It is easier for confidence if you play week in, week out, but I take what I have got and what the manager gives me.

“If he gives me a game every five games, I will take it. If he wants me to play every game, I will do it.

“As long as I do the best for the team and score goals, that’s the main thing.”

But he will not allow criticism from fans who have taken a dislike to him to stop him from doing what he can to help keep Middlesbrough in the Championship for Woodgate.

He said: “I don’t want to take a small part of the fans. I know the majority are behind us. Social media is a big thing now and everybody has got a voice. I stay away from it and just focus on my football.”

When Gestede nodded in Harold Moukoudi’s header across goal during the 2-2 draw against Forest, it was his first at the Riverside since his brace against Hull on February 20, 2018 - when he enjoyed a good run in the side under Tony Pulis.

The former Blackburn and Aston Villa man said: “It has been a long time (since scoring at home), but I did not start for a long time also. Obviously, it is good to start and score.

“It gives me confidence and probably gives the manager more choice now. That is what he needs - to make sure everybody is focused and ready to play when he needs us. I played my part.”

“Obviously, I would be more happy with a win because the team is more important than the individual. I do my best to help the team on the pitch. Unfortunately, we lost two points.

“It is a great feeling. I have been injured a lot since I joined Middlesbrough. I have not done what I wanted to do for the club and it is a big frustration for me.

“Now I have managed to get myself fit and play a bit more and the manager has given me confidence. I am sure I can play a part in this fight against relegation and to stay in the Championship.”