Tuesday 25 November 2014 17:28, UK
Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka has praised the club's fans for their support as he attempts to secure promotion.
A travelling contingent of 5,000 packed into the DW Stadium on Saturday to witness a 1-1 draw which kept the Teessiders firmly in the race for the Barclays Premier League.
Karanka told the club's official website, www.mfc.co.uk: "Last season I'm told there were 500 fans at Wigan, and this season there were 5,000.
"I'm really pleased with the fans. They are always supporting us. It's important because we need them supporting us, and they've been terrific in games."
Boro, who currently sit in third place in the Sky Bet Championship table, entertain sixth-placed Blackburn on Saturday hoping that many of the 22,930 who witnessed a 0-0 draw with Bournemouth in their last home fixture will turn out again.
