MIDDLESBROUGH’S Ben Gibson is waiting to hear whether he will receive his first England call-up as Gareth Southgate ponders a replacement for Phil Jones.

Southgate will focus on tomorrow’s friendly with Germany before bringing anyone in to cover for Jones, who has withdrawn due to injury.

The Northern Echo:

TRAINING: England Manager Gareth Southgate during a training session at St George's Park, Burton. Picture: PA

The England manager is weighing up whether to draft in cover for the central defensive positions after the game in Dortmund, as Gary Cahill is also suspended for Sunday's World Cup qualifier with Lithuania.

Having missed out on a call this time because of Southgate’s preference for Burnley’s Michael Keane, Gibson has stayed in the North-East because he is also too old for the Under-21s’ trips to Germany on Friday and Denmark on Monday.

Many felt that the Boro centre-back was unfortunate to miss out as Keane, Chris Smalling, Cahill and Jones received the nod.

Bournemouth’s Steve Cook and Hull City’s Harry Maguire are also in contention.

Gibson's performances this season have caught the eye of Southgate and a long line of Champions League contenders, with Boro braced for a fight to keep him this summer.

Chelsea and Manchester City are keeping an eye on the left-footed centre-back, while Everton have been long-term admirers.

Avoiding relegation would strengthen Boro's chances of keeping him.

Head coach Steve Agnew only has a few players missing during the international break so he is keen to work on putting his own mark on the way the team plays.

Despite losing his first game in charge against Manchester United on Sunday, Agnew has effectively been given the go-ahead to focus on proving he deserves the role for the rest of the season and beyond by chairman Steve Gibson.

He was allowed to bring in Joe Jordan as his assistant ahead of the visit of United.

And Harry Redknapp has rubbished theories he is in line to take over at following Jordan’s arrival.

The former Tottenham and Portsmouth boss insists he has ‘no chance’ of succeeding Aitor Karanka.

Redknapp has been linked with the role following Karanka’s departure, particularly after Jordan, who worked alongside him at his other posts, was drafted in.

But the 70-year-old, asked about suggestions he will be heading to Boro, said: “No chance. I’m not even in the running. Not a prayer. Definitely not, no.”

But he added: “Joe is a good signing. He will be a big help to young manager Steve Agnew. He is a steady, great guy and is a good bloke to have around in a crisis. I hope they do well.”

Agnew is hoping for some good news on the injury front before the trip to Swansea on April 2. George Friend, Daniel Ayala and Calum Chambers were all missing last Sunday. The outcome at the Liberty Stadium will be crucial, with Boro trailing fourth bottom Swansea by five points.