Derby veteran Peter's gunning for Boro
PETER Lovenkrands knows a thing or two about playing in derbies.
And the striker, a veteran of many an Old Firm clash, is relishing Newcastle's visit to the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.
Lovenkrands scored against Middlesbrough at St James's Park last season, and the 30-year-old – who took his tally for the season to 12 goals with a brace in the weekend's 6-1 home win over Barnsley – couldn't be more confident ahead of the latest Tees-Tyne derby.
Newcastle go into the game with a six-point advantage at the top of the Championship, West Bromwich Albion having moved up to second with a 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday at The Hawthorns last night, while Gordon Strachan's side are fighting to reach the play-off places.
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"There's a lot at stake, and it's a derby game as well in my opinion," Lovenkrands told the Gazette.
"It's going to be very difficult for us, and we're going to go there and have a really tough match on our hands.
"I've played in many Old Firm derbies – they can be very intense – and this one will be pretty similar.
"I scored against Boro last season, so, hopefully, I can repeat that and help us get three big points.
"If I play, then I'll probably be in for a battle! These games are like that anyway.
"It's all part of football – it'll be good fun, and, hopefully, we can get the win as well."
United have sold all their 3,600-seat allocation for the Riverside, and Lovenkrands says the backing Chris Hughton's side get from the terraces, home and away, is never taken for granted by the players.
"That'll be great to see again," added the former Denmark international.
"The fans have been absolutely outstanding from the first game of the season.
"On our travels they've been great. The boys really appreciate it, and we need them to help us get back up."
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Monday 21 May 2012
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