Karanka urging Gibson to focus on Boro

Ben Gibson could be in line for a first England call-up when Sam Allardyce names his squad to face Malta and Slovenia next month but Aitor Karanka has warned him that Middlesbrough must come first.

The former England under-21 international has established himself as a key figure in the Boro defence, and as a left-footer could be an attractive prospect for Allardyce at the back.

Now 23, Gibson has got his chance at Premier League level this season but while Karanka is pleased with the performances of his centre-back, he believes Gibson still has a huge margin for progression.

(David Rogers/Getty Images)

“What can I say about a player who has been with me for two-and-a half-years? He’s improved a lot so if one day he was to go with the national team it would be amazing for him and amazing for the club,” said Karanka.

“He has grown up here and is part of this club so it would be fantastic. At the moment he is here and has to think about winning the games here, then he can think about the England team.

“When you have players around you as good as them [the England team], you’re going to improve for sure. But right now he’s playing with Dani Ayala, Bernardo, Calum Chambers and George Friend so he’s not playing with them.”