Middlesbrough caretaker coach Steve Agnew has implored his players to react positively against north-east rivals Sunderland on Wednesday night.

Boro were easily beaten 4-0 by AFC Bournemouth on the weekend and now sit nine points from safety with five matches remaining in the season.

One of four wins in 2016/17 for the Teessiders came against the bottom-placed Black Cats at the Stadium of Light in August and Agnew has highlighted the importance of repeating the dose at the Riverside.

"Back in August, it was a terrific performance and we thoroughly deserved to win the game," Agnew said.

"Moving on from August to now, April, of course there's lots of negativity towards the second half of the season and we haven't got the wins that we needed, so it's a massive disappointment.

"But we have to remain focused and we have to enjoy the challenge ahead, and that's what we will do (on Wednesday night).

"The first thing is we need the three points; secondly, the players are determined to put on a show for the supporters; and thirdly, there has to be a reaction after the disappointment of Saturday.

"We have to win the game and that's what we will be setting out to do. Three points is everything we need and that's the target."