Kitson has also played for Reading and Cambridge

Middlesbrough striker Dave Kitson hopes Boro can take advantage of the fact the pressure is off them when they visit rivals Newcastle on Sunday.

Boro have not won at home since October but have one of the best away records in the Championship, picking up five wins and three draws on their travels.

Kitson told BBC Tees: "Obviously it isn't going to be easy. Newcastle are having a good season at the moment.

"But we've got a good away record and the pressure is off a little bit."

Boro boss Gordon Strachan is yet to register a win at home, with his only victory in seven games in charge coming in a 5-1 thrashing of QPR at Loftus Road.

And striker Kitson, on loan from Premier League side Stoke City, believes that pressure of playing at the Riverside means the players have found it easier to express themselves away from home.

Newcastle have a huge reputation, and that always gives you a little incentive to get one over on them in their own stadium Dave Kitson

"The expectancy from your home crowd can overawe you and get to players who are comfortable on the ball and just destroy your confidence," he said.

"You misplace a pass and the house comes down on you, but when you're away from home, you play the same pass, and you don't hear anything."

Their last meeting was Newcastle's 3-1 win in May, before both sides suffered relegation from the Premier League.

The Magpies are unbeaten at home this season, but Kitson believes that record can be broken on Sunday.

"I fancy it to be a decent game of football, regardless of anything else," he added.

"Newcastle have a huge reputation, and that always gives you a little incentive to get one over on them in their own stadium.

"For my own part, we just treat it the same as any other game - that means trying to put on a show, and try to get three points."

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