Matthew Bates has pleaded with Middlesbrough fans to stand by the players.

"Our fans are brilliant and it's important that everyone stays upbeat and sticks together," the 22-year-old told the Evening Gazette. "I'm a fan myself so I know it's frustrating sometimes.

"I know the fans want the club to do well and they are looking back at the couple of years we had in the UEFA Cup.

"It's difficult for them to take that we are in a relegation fight at the minute and I can't blame them, but that's how it is. There are six or seven teams in the same situation as us and I know it's a cliche, but staying up could come down to little things like how the fans can be our 12th man.

"We've got 13 games left and we need everything from the lads. And I know for a fact that, speaking on behalf of them, everyone will give it everything.

"We haven't got any given right to be in the Premier League and we need everything from the fans and players. Other teams' fans might be getting on their backs but we need everyone to get behind us really."