This is The North East | Sport | Football

OVERTURNING a two-goal deficit in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup demands a memorable performance and Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson last night declared: 'It's going to be a night for heroes'.

Swiss Super League leaders Basle arrived in the region yesterday with every intention of ending Boro's hopes of reaching the last four of a European competition for the first time in the club's history.

Despite the importance of the fixture there is unlikely to be a sell-out at the Riverside Stadium tonight, so Gibson feels there is added pressure on those inside the ground to recreate a special atmosphere.

The need for such became greater after last week's first leg 2-0 defeat at the St Jakob Stadium, where Basle gained the upperhand without conceding the crucial away goal.

And that has meant Middlesbrough, with eight European goals divided between their three main strikers this season, have been left with the tough task of having to score at least three if they are to avoid penalties.

Gibson, keen to keep the fortunes in two separate cup competitions ticking along, has been the man responsible for spending millions on transforming his hometown club into a genuine Euro force and is in no mood to see that end tonight.

"I know the players are up for it and they certainly think we can still win the game, but it'll take a real team effort, on and off the pitch," said the chairman.

"All I would say is that it's going to be a night for heroes and that includes the fans as much as anybody else. We need them to get behind the team.

"We need an heroic performance from the players and from the crowd. The Riverside can be a great venue, full of noise and intimidation, just like it was in Switzerland, and that's the kind of atmosphere we want to welcome Basle with.

"There will be belief from our supporters that this is a game we can win and they will have a big role to play in it. We're on the verge of something very special here, a real historic moment, but it will take a massive effort from all of us to get there."

With the focus centred around how Middlesbrough are going to come up with the goods in front of goal, McClaren faces a major decision on who to name up front.

The likelihood is that he will opt for top-scorer Aiygebeni Yakubu and Aussie Mark Viduka - meaning Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink will start on the bench.

Already at the Riverside this season McClaren has watched his team overcome adversity to beat Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and AS Roma. Now he wants Basle added to that list.

Achieving that, in McClaren's mind, would give Middlesbrough the lift required to instill the sort of confidence that would increase their chances of going all the way in the competition.

"We will need a monumental performance to go through", said McClaren. "It's difficult but not impossible. It's been done before and hopefully we can do it again. What gives me belief and hope is that we can score goals. I would worry if we didn't have the firepower to get the goals but I know we have firepower.

"This is a key game in the cup run, like there always is. If we win this then there will be a sense this could be our year."

One of the biggest question marks of Middlesbrough's season has been why McClaren's men have only reached peak performances against top opposition.

Victories over the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United have been followed by defeats to Everton and Liverpool.

"I wish I knew the answer why," said McClaren. "If I knew the answer I would bottle the answer.

"If it is not of the standard we need on Thursday then we will fail on Thursday. It has to be of the standard we produced on other big occasions.

"Nobody has given us a chance and we have reiterated that to the players. There's no pressure, just like there wasn't against Chelsea. The players have to trust themselves that they can do the job. We have nothing to lose and we are the underdogs."

Whatever their chances of a favourable outcome, there will be major changes to the side which defeated Manchester City 1-0 on Sunday.

Franck Queudrue and Gareth Southgate are expected to return to the starting XI.

Boro (probable): Schwarzer; Parnaby, Riggott, Southgate, Queudrue; Morrison, Boateng, Rochemback, Downing; Viduka, Yakubu.

Basle: Zuberbuhler; Zanni, Majstrovic, Smiljanic, Berner; Ba; Degen, Delgado, Petric, Sterjovski; Eduardo.