Ahmed Elmohamady has described Steve Agnew as a "fantastic coach" and believes Boro should make him their permanent boss.
Agnew is the caretaker boss at the Riverside following the recent sacking of Aitor Karanka.
Elmohamady's club Hull entertain Boro in a vital relegation battle on Wednesday, the result of which will go a long way to deciding the fate of both teams this season.
Elmohamady and Agnew worked together at Hull when the latter was the assistant to Steve Bruce.
Agnew left Humberside for Teeside in December 2014 and Elmohamady said of him: "I think Aggers is one of the best coaches I have worked with through all my career.
"He was fantastic here and had the chance to go back to Middlesbrough and deserves the chance.
"He's a fantastic man and a fantastic coach, but hopefully on Wednesday we can beat him because we need the three points."
As for the 'six-pointer' at the KCOM Stadium, the Egyptian international added: "Of course, everyone wants to be out of the bottom three, it's a big game.
"With eight games coming, it's massive. They're all cup finals, but I think the most important game is this one.
"To get out of the bottom three, it will give everyone more confidence going forward. It's going to be a massive game."
Manager Marco Silva said: "It's important, but the most important thing for us is to be out of the zone at the end of the season.
"We'll try to do our best to win the game and if you get out of the zone it's a good sign, but best for us is if we're out at the end of the season."
Silva will again be without Tom Huddlestone, who serves the second game of a three-match ban, but fellow midfielder Evandro returns to contention after missing the last five games due to a calf injury.
Defender Omar Elabdellaoui remains an absentee with a back problem, along with Dieumerci Mbokani, Ryan Mason, Moses Odubajo and Will Keane.
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