Huth fired up for Tees-Wear derby

Huth has been ever-present in the Premier League so far this season

Middlesbrough defender Robert Huth is eager to line up against North East rivals Sunderland in Saturday's Tees-Wear derby at the Stadium of Light.

Boro travel up the A19 to face Roy Keane's Wearsiders and Huth believes the region's derbies are among the most passionate in English football.

"It's difficult to beat, the passion is higher here," he told BBC Tees.

"We can't wait, we want to put the Portsmouth disappointment behind us and win the game."

The German international has figured in all four of Boro's Premier League outings thus far this season, having made just 34 appearances in total since joining the club from Chelsea for £6m in August 2006.

Having suffered a string of debilitating injuries, Huth has worked hard to rebuild his fitness and is now delighted to be back in the first-team picture.

"It was as frustrating for supporters as it was for me, but hopefully it's all behind me now and I can look forward," he said.

"We're all performing well and we've got good players competing for places in the team."