MIDDLESBROUGH are relishing stepping into a hostile atmosphere tomorrow afternoon when they make the trip to Queens Park Rangers.

Boro head to the Prince Kayan Foundation Stadium to face Michael Beale’s side for their first away trip of the season.

Last season’s meeting ended in a midweek 2-2 draw against the Hoops and the events of that game are still fresh in the memory of the manager.

“I love it. It’s a proper away ground” manager Chris Wilder said “Unless you’re QPR, then it’s a good home ground!

“They’ll want that atmosphere to get going and it is quite tough when it does get going and we have to puncture that by being good. I love playing at home and it takes care of itself with the supporters.

“All of the stuff that I say about making the shirt light, they did that to the maximum but unfortunately we just couldn’t get that win to get us off and running.

“There is something about away games as well and especially when you have the support that we have, sometimes going into somebody’s back yard, sticking your chest out and the competitive aspect of me and the team will hopefully shine through.”

Beale’s side got off to a losing start last weekend at the hands of Blackburn Rovers, something Wilder is adamant they will want to rectify against the Boro.

He continued: “It will be a difficult afternoon, they will want to get there season up and running. They had a tight game against Blackburn that could have gone either way when we watched the game back.

“At the top of the pitch, they’ve got exciting players. If we want to have a really good season, then we’ve got to be really competitive and the mentality has to be spot on. The players recognise that and the mentality is their responsibility is right then we can get a result.”