The two relatively inexperienced managers pit their wits against each other at Ewood Park for the first time.

Southgate enjoyed the smoother passage into top-flight management, replacing Steve McClaren as Boro boss in 2006.

In contrast, Ince started in League Two with Macclesfield, saving the Silkmen from the drop before taking charge at MK Dons and guiding the club into League One four weeks after winning the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Wembley.

He then replaced Manchester City-bound Mark Hughes at Blackburn in the summer.

Southgate has first-hand knowledge of Ince's leadership qualities after playing under his captaincy at Boro throughout the 2001-02 season and his move into management came as no surprise.

"Paul has captained every team he's played for and did express an interest in going into coaching when he was with us so I'm not surprised he's moved into management," Southgate said.

"It's great for him to get an opportunity at a well-run club like Blackburn and I'm sure he's enjoying the challenge.

"Like me, he's got a chance at a young age and I know when I was talking with him in the summer that he was hoping something big would come along.

"The opportunity has come possibly sooner than he thought it would and he's inherited a good club from what Mark Hughes did while he was there."

Praising Ince's drive and determination as a player, Southgate added: "We both played in Euro 96 for England and he was in the England squad for quite a while with me and was also an important player here at Middlesbrough.

"It was towards the end of his time here when I arrived but his drive in midfield was very important, as was his experience, and it helped keep us in the division.

"He was a good captain to play under and he got plenty out of me as a player. I thought he was a good man to bounce off on the field in terms of motivating each other.

"He had a fantastic career with Inter Milan and Manchester United and with England. Sometimes what he achieved may be overlooked by some people, he was a great player."

Southgate has been impressed with Ince's managerial achievements but feels it is far too early to assess his time at Rovers.

"He did well at Macclesfield when they were struggling and he did a good job for Milton Keynes," Southgate added.

"He always had tactical opinions on the game and having played abroad has given him an insight into another football culture.

"He's played under top managers like Alex Ferguson and Roy Hodgson at club level and the likes of Terry Venables and Glenn Hoddle at international level. I'm sure he will have taken those experiences on board, as I have."

Boro will be boosted by the return of Turkey international Tuncay for tomorrow's clash. He is expected to be name among the substitutes after overcoming a knee injury.

Captain Emanuel Pogatetz returns from suspension while Afonso Alves and Didier Digard are expected to start after their role as substitutes against Chelsea last weekend.

Justin Hoyte (groin) is out so David Wheater is poised to move across to right-back.