MIDDLESBROUGH will this afternoon face a club whose success in recent years has been founded on a trio of former Middlesbrough players – Nicky Barmby, Dean Windass and George Boateng spearheading their remarkable rise to sixth spot in the Premier League.

Windass and Barmby were arguably the two most important figures in Hull’s promotion last season. But the addition of Boateng, in a £1m switch from the Riverside, was a typically astute move by manager Phil Brown who spent the summer adding some quality and experience to his hard-working side.

When Gareth Southgate sanctioned the sale of Boateng it garnered a mixed response from Boro supporters, especially when Boro’s summer midfield recruits were the untried Marvin Emnes and Didier Digard.

And while Boateng has flourished at the heart of Hull’s midfield, question marks remain about his former club’s ability to compete in the centre of the park.

Julio Arca’s injury-plagued campaign has compounded Boro’s problems in that area and the Argentine acknowledged his former team-mates’ impact on Hull’s climb.

“George has plenty of experience and he’s a great player.

He’s still doing really well and I think he’s been a huge part of their impressive start to the season,” said Arca.

“It’s going to be a great battle and I can’t wait but at the same time we have to concentrate on our own game and keep building on the results we’ve got recently.

“He was a good captain both on and off the pitch looking after the players and I have a lot of admiration for him.

“I was sad when he left but football gives you choices that you have to make and I think George needed a new challenge.”

And Jeremie Aliadiere, whose switch from striker to the right flank can be adjudged a partial success, is relishing the prospect of facing his old mate.

Aliadiere said: “I was a bit sad to see him (Boateng) leave the club so I’m looking forward to seeing him again.

“They’ve surprised a lot of people and they have got really good results against very good teams. It’s going to be a very difficult game.”