AITOR KARANKA thinks Ben Gibson can fulfil a childhood dream of playing with Middlesbrough in the Premier League – despite growing interest in him from top-flight clubs.

Gibson, who could slot back in to the Boro backline when Rotherham travel to the Riverside on Saturday, has become a key component of Karanka’s promotion-chasing team in the Championship.

But the centre-back’s promising form has alerted Premier League clubs and he was linked with both Liverpool and Manchester City after also forcing his way in to the England Under-21s’ starting line-up.

Karanka does not think the locally produced talent should be thinking too hard about departing his hometown club just yet.

He said: “I am not concerned because Gibbo is mature. We were joking about that.

“He knows that if he is now playing in the Championship and he has the opportunity to go to another team for £10m or £12m, imagine if he is playing in the Premier League with Middlesbrough ...

“He grew up here, he is (chairman) Steve Gibson's nephew, he's very mature and some time's it's a surprise how mature he is when he is just 22-years-old. He knows he is important for this team and has a very good future.”

Gibson is expected to slot back in to the heart of the defence to face the Millers and Karanka has the extra bonus of being able to call on Daniel Ayala again.

Ayala’s injury has been a cause for concern since he was forced off with a thigh problem against Ipswich on March 14 but he has recovered and is available for this weekend.

Full-back Ryan Fredericks, who is on loan from Tottenham, is also fit again after shrugging off a groin problem, but Karanka does have to make plans for being without the suspended Grant Leadbitter. Adam Forshaw, a £2m January buy from Wigan, is standing by to slot in.