Aitor Karanka has joked that he would warn England boss Sam Allardyce off Ben Gibson as he looks for a new generation of international players.
Middlesbrough defender Gibson has impressed at the start of his first season of Premier League football, sparking speculation that Allardyce will call him into his squad for the World Cup qualifiers in either October, when they face Malta and Slovenia, or November when Scotland and Spain are their opponents.
Boro head coach Karanka has been delighted with the former Under-21 international's progress during his time at the club, but is wary of the demands a senior international career could place on one of his key men.