Middlesbrough v Ipswich: Boro boss Tony Mowbray has pinpointed Daryl Murphy as a key man to watch ahead of Town’s trip to the Riverside tomorrow.

Murphy last month resigned for Town for a third loan spell in consecutive seasons and immediately showed his phsyical threat, setting up Luke Chambers’ equaliser in last week’s entertaining 2-2 draw with Huddersfield.

It was a fact not lost on Mowbray who yesterday highlighted the Republic of Ireland international as a threat for Ipswich.

The Boro boss said: “We have to be mindful of the talent they possess in the forward areas. People in this area will know Michael Chopra, and they’ve just signed Paul Taylor, who is a very talented young boy.

“I think Daryl Murphy is a player that is quite integral to the way Ipswich play. Although they are a nice football team they do at times play off his physicality on the left.

“He does win headers and flicks them on, he’s a big physical boy. They’ve added some strength and quality over the summer and they will be a big test for us.”

Mowbray, a hero of Town when they last achieved promotion to the Premier League in 2000, heaped gushing praise on his opponents as he looks to mastermind Boro’s first win over the Blues for three years.

“Paul (Jewell), as we all are, will be searching for the right balance in his side,” Mowbray commented. “He’s got some real good football players – he’s added (Luke) Chambers from Nottingham Forest, who’s very solid and strong.

“But outside that he’s got young Tommy Smith who’s come through the ranks and is a very honest, competitive boy.

“I’ve been watching footage of them this week. They are a decent side and have got a potent threat, Chopra looks sharp this year and they’ve added Murphy to flick things on.

“They quite an expansive team and like to play attacking open football, which has been the philosophy at that club for a number of years.

“But let’s wait and see, hopefully we can ask questions of them and see how strong they are at the back.”