Adam Jackson is hoping to take a rare chance in the Reds first team with a good performance on Sunday at a club who have been his rivals since he was a child.
The centre-back, who turns 23 later this month, is from Darlington and grew up playing for Middlesbrough's youth teams. He is expected to play for Barnsley at Boro's North East neighbours Newcastle United, who have already been promoted and could win the title.
"It's going to be a great game in front of a sell-out crowd," Jackson told the Chronicle.
"We'll be going there to cause an upset, and we have been good away from home all season. The one that sticks out for me is Aston Villa away (a 3-1 win) and this a chance to get another win at one of the really big clubs and big stadiums.
"I have a lot of friends and family who are Newcastle fans but I have always supported Middlesbrough since I went into their academy. I always played against Newcastle's youth teams as a kid so there is definitely a rivalry there. It's a great occasion for me to play in and I am really looking forward to testing myself against Premier League players."
Jackson never made a first team appearance for Middlesbrough but impressed on loan at League Two Hartlepool last season before joining the Reds in the summer. He has played ten games this season but the draw with Burton Albion on Saturday was his first in more than three months, due to the form of Angus MacDonald and the now-injured Marc Roberts.
"It's been a bit frustrating but they have been two of our best players so I can't go to the manager and complain. I don't hold grudges and they are both top lads. I would like to have played more but, it was only 18 months ago that I made my professional debut, so I have to be happy to be playing in the Championship at all. I was buzzing to be back on the pitch against Burton and hopefully I can build on that by playing more often next year."
