Boro can go six top-flight games without defeat for the first time under Southgate's stewardship if they take a point or more out of the tussle.

But the manager does not want to become obsessed with statistics because he believes it could stop his players from fulfilling their potential.

He said: "It will be a good thing, of course, if we remain unbeaten because it's good for confidence. But if you focus only on keeping the unbeaten run going, you end up settling for draws.

"I don't want to do that, I'm not afraid of losing but we want to try and win the game, so we've got to be very positive in our approach. We've seen this season that win one, lose one, is actually better than draw followed by draw.

"Along with Everton, we've got the longest unbeaten run in the Premier League right now so we should be enjoying ourselves - that goes for the fans as well as the players.

"We're playing well and getting good results. We are progressing and we want to keep the momentum going.

"Nobody expected us to take four points from the away games at Villa and Everton - but nobody will expect us to get anything other than a win against Bolton."

Southgate's brave new philosophy saw Boro snatch vital late wins over West Ham and Aston Villa and climb to their current position of eighth.

"Those wins are crucial and they breed confidence," he said. "What we're doing this season is significant, we're on target for 52 points, which last season would have been good enough to finish 10th."

Boro's chances of taking three points from Saturday's game will surely be boosted by the presence of Stewart Downing and Tuncay Sanli, who are brimming with confidence following their midweek international heroics.

Downing had arguably his best game yet for England in the 2-1 win over Germany while Tuncay scored a hat-trick in Turkey's 3-2 triumph in Austria.

Southgate is delighted he will not, for once, have to spend his pre-match preparation rebuilding the confidence of a player who endured a torrid time representing his country.

"Sometimes I've had to pick my players up again after they've had less then positive experiences with their national teams, but both Tuncay and Stewart are full of confidence after their performances for their countries," he said.

"Tuncay has captained his country and scored a hat-trick, coming off to a standing ovation after 65 minutes, so his confidence is going to be sky high. He has been playing very well for us and it's great to have him at the club.

"It will really be about making sure they are right physically for Saturday's game. They are both quality players and I know both of them are desperate for us to progress as a club and a team. They are team players and they will both want us to get the right performance against Bolton."

Striker Mido is expected to be cleared to link up with the squad after two games on the sidelines due to a groin condition. Jeremie Aliadiere has recovered from the illness that kept him out of Sunday's draw with Everton but Chris Riggott (hamstring) has been ruled out.