DEFIANT Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren has promised to find a cure for his side's away-day headaches as he prepares for tomorrow's trip to Ewood.

McClaren is adamant that the team will eventually turn the corner despite seeing them crash to a sixth successive away defeat at Aston Villa on Saturday.

Boro were poor for 70 minutes as another new system - this time featuring just one orthodox striker up front - failed to prompt a change in fortunes.

McClaren said: "I'd be worried if we were not creating and if we were not playing good football.

"If we were getting beat by three or four nil then it would be different, but we are getting beat by the odd goal."

He added: "We are in a learning process, and experience is a great thing.

"At the moment we are getting burnt. But I believe that it will turn for us."

Boro might have fared better at Villa Park had former Manchester United midfielder Mark Wilson not been controversially dismissed after 27 minutes.

He was involved in a desperate struggle for possession with Jlloyd Samuel which referee Rob Styles deemed worthy of a second yellow.

Meanwhile, McClaren elected to operate with only Szilard Nemeth as a front man when Alen Boksic dropped out of the squad with a slight knock picked up in the Boxing Day victory against Manchester United.

Presumably, Boksic will be fit to return at Ewood tomorrow as Boro make another bid to win their first away game since the end of September.

McClaren may well be tempted to play wing-backs in order to counter Rovers' threat down the flanks.