BLACKBURN Rovers manager Paul Ince has warned of a Middlesbrough backlash at Ewood Park on Saturday.

Gareth Southgate's men have lost five of their previous six matches and are reeling from last week's 5-0 thrashing at home to Chelsea.

But while many outsiders would consider it a perfect opportunity to face Boro, Ince has described that as “absolutely rubbish”.

“Middlesbrough are a very good side with very good players, and they play good football,” said the Rovers boss.

“They will be looking to put that Chelsea result right - and they'll look to do that against us.

“We've got to be watchful of that situation. It will be a very tough game for us.”

While Boro underperformed against last season's Premier League runners-up, Ince believes an in-form Teessiders would have found it equally difficult to pick up a result against Chelsea.

The former Manchester United and Liverpool midfielder feels the gap between the top-flight's ‘big four’ and the rest of the league continues to widen, and admits it is getting tougher to pick up points against those at the top.

Ince said: “It was not surprising for me that Chelsea went to Middlesbrough and won 5-0 because they have got great players.

“I think any of the top four can go anywhere and win 4-0 or 5-0, because the gap between the rest of the teams is so vast.”