JONATHAN Woodgate will be given every chance to prove he can handle three matches in a week ahead of Middlesbrough's trip to title rivals Bournemouth.

Woodgate has come through two matches in a row for the first time this season to take his appearance tally to just three league outings for the whole campaign.

The 35-year-old, who has been plagued by injury for a number of years, has had to tread carefully on the training ground.

And Aitor Karanka, who could have Daniel Ayala available again on the south coast should Woodgate miss out, will be keeping an eye on the centre-back on Friday before the trek south.

Boro are looking to turn the pressure on Bournemouth, who have fallen two points behind them and joint leaders Watford.

But Karanka is aware of the threat posed by the Cherries and said: "The last two games for us were amazing because we beat Ipswich at home and Derby away. 

"We're confident but this league never stops and now we play against another of our rivals, Bournemouth.

"It will be a tough game but we go there thinking we can beat them. We need to play with the same intensity as did at Derby to achieve something.

"It's not a surprise for me - Bournemouth have been working for the last three or four years with the same manager. I like Eddie (Howe) a lot because I think he's one of the best managers in the league.

"Last season for me was a surprise because I didn't know them but 14 or 15 months later, it's no surprise.

"They work as a team. The manager and his staff have done a great job because they're building a team with maybe no recognised players, maybe not very expensive players, but they're building a team.

"I have the same mentality to build a team instead of just having really good players. They are scoring always four or five goals so they're a good team at home, but we go there with six more points and full of confidence."

Middlesbrough have no fresh injury problems, although right-back Ryan Fredericks remains sidelined with hamstring trouble.