Middlesbrough's Ben Gibson backed for England call-up by Stewart Downing
Sunday 30 October 2016 23:17, UK
Stewart Downing has backed Ben Gibson to win an England call-up after Gareth Southgate watched the centre-back help Middlesbrough claim another clean sheet.
Interim England boss Southgate, a former Middlesbrough captain and manager, returned to the Riverside on Saturday and was in the stands to see his old club's 2-0 win over Bournemouth.
Gibson, who helped Aitor Karanka's side claim a goalless draw at Arsenal last weekend, continued his fine start to the season against the Cherries and Downing believes the 23-year-old could be drafted into the squad by Southgate for the upcoming matches against Scotland and Spain.
"It's not often you get an England manager at the Riverside to be honest. Ben has done himself no harm," Downing said.
"Gareth knows him better than anyone, he has worked with him, he knows his qualities so no doubt he will pick him if he deserves it. Ben keeps improving and these last couple of clean sheets will have done him no harm.
"Ben has been a consistent performer and that's what he needs to do. He is vocal. He is a leader. He has been captain here a few times already, he knows the game and his performances have been really good. Even though we have not got results at times his game has been bang on."
Southgate's temporary deal as England manager only extends to the next two matches, but he remains favourite to land the role on a permanent basis.
But Downing does not believe that will come into Southgate's thinking as he puts together his next squad, with no hint of conservatism in the 46-year-old's decision-making thus far.
"No doubt he will pick him (Gibson) if he deserves it, on form," he added.
"Gareth's shown he is not bothered about who they play for already, and he didn't pick Wayne Rooney (in Slovenia). I don't think he will be afraid to do it."
