MIKKEL BECK insists Middlesbrough are not unnerved by the prospect of facing second division giant-killers Stockport at Edgeley Park tonight.
Stockport have already claimed three Premiership scalps en route to the English League Cup semifinals, with Blackburn, West Ham and Southampton all falling victim to Dave Jones's side, the last two after replays.
Middlesbrough, bottom of the Premiership and with an appalling away record that has brought just one win in 12 league matches, go into the first-leg tie looking vulnerable. But Bryan Robson's men have been a formidable force in the knockout competitions, beating Newcastle and Liverpool to reach the last four of the League Cup and with an FA Cup quarter-final with Derby or Coventry also in the bank.
Danish striker Beck predicts Middlesbrough will carry the fight to Stockport. "We're not afraid of this game. We've got strong characters in our team and we'll go there and give them a hard time," he said.
Stockport will be competing in their 17th cup tie of the season and have 50 far have chalked up 13 wins, two draws and just one defeat, against Birmingham in the FA Cup.
That impressive record commands respect and Beck insists Middlesbrough will not underestimate the minnows.
Australian international goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer could make his debut for Middlesbrough following his £1 million move from Bradford last week and Emerson will also be back in their line-up, although they will be without Juninho as he will be playing in a friendly international against Poland.
Meanwhile, the Stockport ground staff are working around the clock to ensure that the 12,000 capacity crowd that will generate club record gate receipts of around £180,000 are not disappointed again.
