SUNDERLAND head coach Regis Le Bris might not think today's game is a derby but Michael Carrick knows exactly how much it means to Middlesbrough and their supporters.

Carrick grew up in the North East so needed no educating on just how much football means to fans in this part of the world when he took charge of Boro two years ago.

As a boyhood Newcastle fan, Carrick also knows what these local games mean and how he'd love to put a smile on the faces of the travelling Boro fans on Wearside this lunchtime.

Who Carrick supported as a boy will matter not to Boro's head coach today. His only focus now is the present but there's no way the enormity of today's game will be lost on the former Manchester United and England midfielder.

"There are certain games that bring out a different feeling and emotion, this is one of them and you’ve got to thrive on it," he says.

"For me, growing up in the area, the North East has always been (a hotbed of football).

"The passion and love of the game carries the weight of it really and football affects people's lives so much, the ups and downs. That’s a responsibility that we carry and to be able to have that impact on people - there’s an element of expectation that comes with that.

"But it’s certainly a privileged position to be in to be able to go into games like this with everyone up for it and us being right in the thick of it. We respect that and will be giving everything that we can.

“Of course I enjoy it. For the love of the game, big games and what they bring - the anticipation, the emotion, the excitement, you’ve got to use it, you’ve got to thrive off it and channel it in the right way. You’ve got to manage the emotions and control them to use them in the best way. But certainly, the feelings going into a game like this is why we’re involved in football.

"Listen, I’m from the North East, born in Newcastle and supported Newcastle United growing up. There’s no getting away from that. So, from my side of things, there’s a little in that.

"But come Saturday, will that make a difference? Absolutely not. I’ll be focused purely on the game and what I need to do to help the boys get a result. We see what happens after that and if we can enjoy it."

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Boro head for Wearside on the back of a frustrating home draw with Preston but the players aren't in need of a lift, says Carrick, who has been encouraged by displays and thinks results will soon follow.

"The boys are in a good place and doing a lot of good things," he said.

"The belief is there and we’re excited about how we can keep improving and getting results."

More than 40,000 supporters will be inside the Stadium of Light but Carrick has no doubt his players will be able to handle the occasion and atmosphere.

He said: "Of course, this week is a little bit different, but I wouldn’t say we’ve done anything different in terms of preparation. Naturally, the emotion takes over a little bit more and gives you that extra little spring.

“Most of the boys have played in these type of games before. We’ve got some younger players, but largely they’ve all experienced big games and big atmospheres. There’ll be little things I can help them with, bits of advice to give here and there - that’s my job.

"You try and pick the right times to say certain things. But largely, I think the boys know what it means and what it takes, but also what it means to us as far as the bigger picture is concerned and what we’re trying to achieve."

MIDDLESBROUGH PROBABLE XI: Dieng, Ayling, Edmundson, Clarke, Borges; Morris, Hackney; Jones, Conway, Azaz, Latte Lath