MIDDLESBROUGH hope to continue their unbeaten start to the season against struggling Millwall at the Riverside this afternoon, but Colin Cooper has warned the first-team not to underestimate Kenny Jackett's side.

If Boro avoid defeat today they will set a new club record of 11 league games unbeaten at the start of a season eclipsing the previous record set 101 years ago.

In contrast to their away form, Boro have won only once at the Riverside this season but with the Lions yet to secure three points on their travels so far, the Teessiders will see today's match-up as the perfect opportunity to record their second home win.

Cooper, who returned to the club to take up the role of Under-18s coach last month, spent two years of his playing career at Millwall and insists the Lions will be no pushovers despite their position in the Championship's bottom three.

"I've watched Millwall quite a few times in recent years and I know how Kenny has them playing," Cooper said.

"Millwall will be organised, they'll work their socks off, be strong so I think the first team realise we're going to have to play well to break them down and break the resolve teams at the bottom have.

"You need to grind teams like that down and a grind it will be, because Kenny Jackett is a good manager and as I say Millwall will work hard and be big, powerful and strong."

Cooper takes Boro's Under-18s to Huddersfield today, but the 44-year-old is hoping to get back in time to see some of the game.

Despite spending only two years at the Den, Cooper has a strong affinity with several people at the club, who have been involved in raising money for the Finlay Cooper Fund, the charity Cooper and his wife, Julie, set up in honor of their son.

He said: "It's a special game for me. The three clubs I've played for have all been special for me, because when I went down to Millwall, it was a difficult one.

"I was only there two seasons and luckily when I left I'd like to think I had the fans' respect.

"If you're warmly received when you go back that means you've done okay. I keep in touch with a lot of Millwall people, A lot of them are very heavily involved in helping our charity, the Finlay Cooper Fund.

"Those people have a special place in my heart, It's a good football club, there are a lot of similarities between the two. Hard-working, honest people who support their club."