Boro on Albion alert

Boro scraped through their fourth round replay with League One Bristol City on Tuesday night on penalties to set up the weekend clash with the Baggies.

Riverside boss Southgate knows Boro will again start at favourites to knock out Championship opposition.

But with Albion heading to the north east unbeaten in eight and having climbed into second place with Tuesday night's victory at Colchester, Southgate is taking nothing for granted - especially with the return of Baggies boss Tony Mowbray to Boro adding some extra spice."I know the esteem that Tony is held in by the fans here," said the former Villa defender. "When I became captain, I was made aware of what a folk hero he was here through an historic period in the club's history.

"I am sure he will get a fantastic reception, and rightly so. But once the game starts, I know we will get the backing we need.

"It is going to be a good game because they are flying high and have got some confidence.

"In many respects, it is a bit like taking on a Premier League team because the position they are in and the confidence they are playing with is as good as playing a Premiership side."

Southgate's sentiments are echoed by striker Mark Viduka, who insists Boro must be more ruthless if they want to keep their dreams of FA Cup glory alive against Albion.

Boro were also taken to a replay by Hull in round three and Viduka admits they can ill afford to be as wasteful agains the Baggies as they were against Bristol City.

"For some reason, we love a replay," said Viduka. "We should have finished the game off before it got to the penalty stage.

"They were a tough team. They had two proper shots on goal and they scored two goals.

"It was one of those things where everything went for them and nothing much went for us.

"We had so many chances and we did not put them away, and then they popped up at the end and scored. I still cannot believe it."