THERE'S no ban of promotion talk in the Middlesbrough dressing room but that doesn't mean Boro's players or staff are getting at all carried away, with Michael Carrick's message the same as it has been since day one: focus.

Boro have charged into promotion contention under Carrick and head for Sheffield United tonight with an opportunity to make a real Championship statement and close the gap on the second-placed Blades.

Carrick isn't shying away from the importance of tonight's game or Boro's ambitions this season, but remains measured in his approach.

“There’s no disguising the fact, we know the situation and we know the league table is as it is," said the Boro head coach.

"We know where we stand and what’s at stake in this game in terms of how the result can affect the league table. But there is no point in getting carried away in ifs and buts and letting that take any of our attention or energy or emotional focus.

"For me and the boys, it’s important to think about we can do and controlling what we can control. That’s the sole focus. As challenging as it is to have that tunnel vision and to try and keep yourself away from dreaming about all sorts of different things, you have to keep your eye on what you can do. That’s the challenge and it’s one we look forward to."

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Boro have won eight of their 10 Championship games since the domestic resumption and have now opened a six-point gap on seventh-placed Sunderland. But much of the talk on Teesside is whether Boro can remarkably catch Sheffield United, who are currently 10 points ahead with a game in hand.

Asked whether he's allowing talk of promotion in the dressing room, Carrick said: “I certainly wouldn’t say I don’t allow it because I’m not the type of disciplinarian who would dictate what people can and can’t talk about. But listen, we’re calm, as I’ve said all along.

"We understand what we’re fighting for, of course. We’re all striving to get out of the league and to be promoted. But there is no point talking about it every day and discussing it every day. Not when we’re in it and we’ve got to perform and find a way of being in the right frame of mind to bring out the best in ourselves.

"Focus and concentration are the words that I keep using, and it’s important that we do that.

“There are a lot of games for all sorts to still happen between now and the end of the season. I’ve said for weeks now, it’s about where you finish at the end of the season that counts. A lot can happen between now and then. Of course, this is the standout game in this moment, but for us that’s just because it’s the next one.

"That’s what makes it the most important one. We’ll go down there trying to win it and then we’ll see what happens after that."

Given what's on the line, Carrick is expecting a real sense of occasion at Bramall Lane.

He said: "I’ve had some really good games there over the years. I remember one not so long ago where we drew 3-3 while I was at United and they equalised in the last minute, which wasn’t too pleasing. But nevertheless, it’s that type of game.

"We know what type of atmosphere to expect and that’s fine. They have good support that get really behind their team and make it difficult for the opposition. That’s the challenge we’ve got to expect and enjoy and we will do. It should lift the boys because that’s why we’re involved in the game at this level."