"The Boro game is another big one. I think Boro are a good team," the international goalie was quoted as saying by Wigan Today.

"They have a big threat up front in Mido, while Stewart Downing has loads of pace down the left-wing and great delivery."

Mido lead Boro's scorers with four goals but his side are in a tight spot, collecting six points from as many games and placed 16th.

Wigan, on the other hand, are in the 10th spot with eight points thanks to Amr Zaki's firing form.

Zaki tops the Premiership scorers' charts with five goals in six games.

Kirkland urged his side to see of Middlesbrough so that they guarantee a place in the top half of the table before going into the international break.

"Beating Middlesbrough would give us 11 points from seven games, and really, we should have even more by now," he said.

"The international break is coming up, and we don't want to be dwelling on a poor result for the whole two weeks.

"After that, we've got Liverpool away and Villa at home – just think if we could pick some points up from them too."