Middlesbrough no longer have their fate in their own hands as they bid to reach the play-offs this season.
Even if Chris Wilder’s side win their three remaining fixtures, starting with Cardiff City at the Riverside on Wednesday, they will be denied a spot in the top six if the team who currently sit above them pick up enough points.
Despite that, the Boro boss had a defiant message when it came to their chances.
He said: “The teams above us have difficult games to play, the teams around us have difficult games to play – as do we.
“We’re back home on Wednesday night (against Cardiff) and it’s a season-defining game.”
Boro currently sit eighth in the table with Millwall and Sheffield United immediately above them.
With fifth place Luton Town currently eight points better off it looks like the Blades and the Lions are the two sides that Wilder’s team will have to outperform.
After the Cardiff match they will face Stoke City (H) and Preston North End (A) in their final two fixtures.
Away from the action on the pitch there is plenty going on across the division as clubs prepare for the summer transfer window.
Here are the latest transfer news stories making the headlines on Monday morning:
5. Spurs and Leeds keen on Scott
Bristol City are bracing themselves for bids from Tottenham and Leeds United in the summer for their promising £10m-rated midfield playmaker Alex Scott (Mirror) | Getty Images
6. Tigers make multi million offer for Serbian centre back
Hull City have put in a £3.4 million bid for Red Star Belgrade centre-back Strahinja Erakovic (HullLive via MozzartSport) | AFP via Getty Images
7. Brentfor set to rival Spurs and Arsenal for Spence
Brentford are plotting an ambitious £15 million bid for Middlesbrough defender and Arsenal and Tottenham target, Djed Spence who is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest (TeamTALK) | Getty Images
8. Boro look to sign new stopper
Middlesbrough want to sign a new first chpice goalkeeper and have Newcastle’s Karl Darlow and Leicester’s Daniel Iversen on their ‘hitlist’ (The Sun) | Getty Images