Marco Silva says Fulham are ready for ‘the last push’ of the season as the league leaders head to Middlesbrough tomorrow night.

The Whites travel to Teesside in good heart following Saturday’s local derby win over Queens Park Rangers, but Silva knows that Chris Wilder’s side might represent their toughest test in the final stretch. The Fulham head coach told his pre-match press conference this morning:

“It’s the last push. The next one will be really tough for us definitely. It’s probably the most difficult match that we have until the end of the season. Looking at their quality and what they are doing so far. In this competition, it’s difficult to say that this one will be more difficult than the others but looking at the way they play and the way they create problems for the opposition and the results they are achieving at home, I have this opinion.

We have full focus on ourselves, nothing changes for us. We will go there to try and get the three points and come back with a smile on our faces because we did our best. I’m 100% sure that at our top, top level, we can beat them at home. Some of the quality they brought in in the January market makes them stronger.

The impact that that has had on their squad is huge as well and of course, they are fighting for what they planned because I remember at the beginning of the season, they were one of the teams that wanted to get promoted and they wanted to fight for it, and they are fighting.”

Silva saluted the influence of skipper Tom Cairney on his return to the side at the weekend. The Scottish international provided a reminder of his ability to unlock defences with a brilliant ball to release Fabio Carvalho in the build up to Fulham’s opener at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.

He did a good game. He has made a very good impact after the injury on our squad. He knows what I expect from him and what I demand from him. He is a player that is a completely different profile to the other midfielders we have.

The way he made that pass is something that only he can see, he has that vision and he can support our attack. He knows I want him to be more decisive and closer to the opposition box. He is a player with high technical quality with a great vision as well, who can find spaces when they don’t look to be there. I’m really pleased with the way he came back into the team and the performance he got.”