Adam Forshaw is not about to let sentiment get the better of him in Middlesbrough's promotion play-off semi-final with Brentford.

Boro meet the Bees at Griffin Park in the first leg of the Premier League promotion process on Friday night which places former Everton midfielder Forshaw in a difficult position.

The 23-year old, who joined the Teessiders in January, spent time at Brentford prior to his 2014 move to Wigan Athletic but is not about to recall his time with London fondly during the two-legged play-off.

"You couldn't write it could you?" he said. "It's been a strange season for me and made all the more strange when we drew Brentford.

"It's going to be a great tie and I'm really looking forward to it. Having played there I know the talent and the bond the team has. You can't say that they're lucky to be in the play-offs. They deserve to be where they are.

"They will think they have a good chance against us and they're going to be two tight games. But we're in good form, we're confident and have good players.

"It's been a stop-start season for me, starting the campaign at Wigan then going to Boro, but I'm at a fantastic club now.

"They've been brilliant with me. My loyalty is with Middlesbrough now."