BEN GIBSON is determined to ensure his first taste of senior international football is not his last, with Gareth Southgate tipping the Middlesbrough centre-half for a bright future in the England ranks.

Gibson secured a late call-up to the England squad on Friday when Chris Smalling was forced to withdraw through injury, and trained with the rest of Southgate’s squad over the weekend.

He was an unused substitute in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Lithuania, but admits the experience of sitting on the bench at Wembley has whetted his appetite for further international excursions.

Having won ten Under-21 caps, he is desperate to make his debut at senior level, and with England due to return to action with a double-header against Scotland and France in June, he will be doing all he can to ensure he remains at the forefront of Southgate’s thoughts.

“There’s a lot to take in, and I’ve been pinching myself at times,” said Gibson, who was back at Middlesbrough’s training ground this morning to resume preparations for Sunday’s crucial relegation clash at Swansea City. “It’s been a real rollercoaster of emotions, and I’ve loved every single minute of it.

“Hopefully, it’s something I can sample a bit more of in the future. I’d be a fool not to after what I’ve witnessed these last few days so I’m really excited and I’d love to be back here again.

“It was a surprise because it came late in the day, but when I found out I couldn’t get down quick enough and I was absolutely delighted to meet up with the lads.

“The lads have been fantastic, really welcoming. You can tell they’ve got such a good camaraderie and I’m lucky enough to know a few of them from the Under-21 set-up and the staff likewise, so it was a fantastic opportunity and they all made it really easy for me. They were really welcoming and I couldn’t have fitted in any better.

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“Gareth said, ‘You’re here because we know you as a person, we know you as a player, you deserve to be here, so be yourself, enjoy it and take it all in’.”

Southgate worked with Gibson at Under-21 level and clearly regards the 24-year-old as one of the country’s brightest defensive prospects.

Gary Cahill and John Stones are established members of the squad, and are certain to be involved in next summer’s World Cup in Russia if England qualify and they avoid injury.

Michael Keane has risen up the pecking order in the last few months, and the Burnley centre-half did his prospects a power of good with an impressive display alongside Stones in Sunday’s victory.

However, while Smalling and Phil Jones were initially named in the squad to face Germany and Lithuania, neither Manchester United player has performed at a consistently high level for a number of seasons, and Gibson will have every chance of dislodging them if he maintains the standards he has been setting with Boro this season.

“When you bring someone in late to the squad, for a couple of days, it’s really important that you know who’s coming through the door,” said Southgate. “With him (Gibson), he’s already the captain at his club.

“He’s a Premier League captain at a very young age, which tells you something about his leadership qualities, and the type of person he is. He’s also had a very good season with Middlesbrough.”

Even so, Gibson’s call-up came out of the blue, with even the Teessider himself being taken aback by his sudden elevation to senior status.

With Boro’s squad on a training break, he had been planning to go on a weekend trip to Majorca with his partner, Ashley Gittins, but a phone call from the England hierarchy resulted in a rapid change of plans.

“I was at the training ground (at Rockliffe Park),” said Gibson. “It was Friday after training. I was about to go to Majorca with my missus, but I couldn’t put the brakes on quick enough and get down (to the England camp). It’s been absolutely fantastic.”