Failing to beat Fulham on Saturday meant that Boro are now eighteenth with 31 points and five games to go including Arsenal and Manchester United.

"Everyone will look at our fixtures and feel we are gone but we are still managing to hang in there," the former Aston Villa man said.

"All the teams we have to play will have their own pressures. We are not just going to sacrifice the next two fixtures.

"You just don't know what will happen but what I do know is that we will fight right through to the end," added the 38-year-old tactician.

Middlesbrough have the Egyptian pair of Mido and Shawky playing for the club. However, the former is currently on loan at Wigan Athletic until the end of the season.