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Rudy Gestede has been labelled a "terrific" striker despite his terrible run of not winning games.

The Boro star will be paired up front with Alvaro Negredo as Steve Agnew looks to solve their chronic goal scoring crisis in a massive relegation clash with Hull tonight.

But Gestede has not been on the winning side in any of his last 39 Premier League games and is desperate to break the run.

It dates back to August 2015, and wasn't helped by his close range miss at Swansea at the weekend which ended 0-0.

Boro have had the fewest shots of any side in the top five European divisions.

The Boro caretaker boss said: “Rudy is a terrific boy. He’s focused, he’s ready and he’s positive.

(Image: PA)

“As I said to him, you have to be in the position to miss the chances and if you keep getting into the right position, the goals will come.

“He is 6'4", quick, powerful and when balls come into the box he's a big threat for any defender in the Premier League. That's no different for the Hull defenders.”

Boro last won a league game in December, 12 attempts ago and have to conjure a win in Hull to get them going in the relegation battle.

Agnew, who spent over two years at the KCOM Stadium as assistant manager aliongside Steve Bruce, added: "My knowledge of Hull will help."