AFTER a two-week break Middlesbrough return to action when they travel to Wolves on Saturday and manager Tony Mowbray will be hoping some extra time on the training ground can help his squad regain some form.

The international break has meant Boro haven’t had a fixture since the home defeat to Birmingham City on March 16, a period which has given the Boro boss and his squad time to regroup after a disappointing run of form since the turn of the year.

Boro lie five points adrift of the last play-off place, currently occupied by Leicester City, with only eight games left to play before the season closes on May 4.

While some manager’s allow their players not on international duty some extended time off, Mowbray only allowed his squad one extra day off last week.

It is hoped some extra time on the training ground has helped Boro recapture some confidence to make a final push to get themselves back into contention.

The Boro squad are fully aware it will take a huge effort to regain a place in the Championship’s top six, but rightback Justin Hoyte has reiterated their season isn’t over yet.

After Saturday’s trip to Wolves, Boro entertain Peterborough United at the Riverside a week today before they play Hull City, Brighton and Nottingham Forest, who are all in the mix for promotion.

“It’s eight very tough games – but we believe we can do it.

We all believe we can win enough of those remaining matches to force our way back into the play-off places,” said Hoyte, who returned from two months out in the home defeat to Birmingham City ten days ago.

“This season ain’t over, no way. There’s a long way to go yet and we haven’t given up.

“Yes, we have had a nightmare run of form. We know that. There’s no hiding from it. But we also know how quickly everything can change in this crazy division.

We haven’t given up. There’s a lot of mileage in this season yet.”

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