The Rovers boss is a figure synonymous with today’s visitors Middlesbrough - but that won’t stop him from trying to inflict what would be a damaging defeat to Tony Pulis’ side.

Mowbray started his career with his hometown club, playing for 12 years, before returning as manager. Rovers’ December fixture at the Riverside was his first game against Boro since leaving in 2013, but he still lives locally, and retains a huge affection from the club’s supporters.

Middlesbrough are chasing promotion back to the Premier League, currently sitting sixth, having lost out in the play-offs last year.

“There is an emotional attachment to Middlesbrough,” Mowbray said of his former side.

“I spent 12 years as a player there, manager for three years, my whole family live there, but it’s the next three points, otherwise we’ll be sat here next week and you’ll be telling me we’ve lost four on the bounce.

“It’s life, it’s football.

“Whoever the players, the supporters, the managers, the owners, it’s just another chance for us to get three points.

“Middlesbrough will be desperate for the points to stay in the top six and keep their own ambitions going, so it should be a good game, a ferocious game. I expect it to be a tight game and one we’ll look to come out on the right side of.”