LOCAL lad Ben Gibson has described the importance of keeping Middlesbrough in the Premier League this season, and wants to ensure the international break doesn’t derail the positive start to life back in the big time.

Boro are unbeaten in the top-flight since securing promotion from the Championship and have impressed with their defensive resilience.

A victory over Sunderland was sandwiched between draws with Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion and Boro are looking for that to continue when Crystal Palace travel to the Riverside this Saturday.

While the two-week break has given struggling clubs a little time for new signings to gel and try to build up a team spirit, Boro's players could have done without it, as they were already on a high.

Gibson said: “It was a break we didn’t want because we were starting to build a bit of momentum. Three games unbeaten, we wanted to keep going and we wanted to get on the pitch again and add to the points.

“It can be frustrating if you are not involved in the internationals, doing training sessions to fill in the gaps, but you get used to it as a footballer and you have to experience that in the top two leagues.

“We have to focus on the game against Crystal Palace and continue in the same vein we have started.”

Gibson, talking to the Premier League Productions Today programme hosted by Mark Pougatch, has been impressed with the transfer dealings of the club since promotion. He fully understands his uncle, chairman Steve Gibson, continues to be vital to the club’s cause.

“It’s hard to put into words, he has got what he deserves because he has put everything into this town and football club,” said Gibson. “Not many people in his position would have done what he has done.

“Financially it is a constant drain on his resources. There is a select number of clubs that make money from football and Middlesbrough isn’t one of them. He is a fantastic person, a leader and someone who we always look up to and he deserves it. Any manager who has worked under him will be delighted for him.”

The challenge facing Middlesbrough is to keep them in the Premier League, having waited seven years to return to the top tier of the English game.

Highly-rated centre-back Gibson added: “It was huge to be promoted, if you are from here or you have been here then you will have realised the effect it has had.

“There have been a lot of jobs lost around here, so if we can give those people a lift at the end of the week then it is fantastic. To be back in the Premier League, with the big names back at the Riverside then great.

“We have to look to stay up. We have worked so hard for so long to get back in this league and we have to fight tooth and nail to stay here. Anything above that then great.

“Four or five months down the line then we can look again and see where we are. But we have to make sure we get points and stay in this league that is the most important thing this season.”

When Boro went down in 2009 it was Gareth Southgate who was in charge to suffer the fate. He has since moved on to become the England Under-21s boss and he feels he is a much stronger manager now and would welcome another crack at the Premier League.

He said: "I'm sure there will be a moment to do that (club management). If it's something I've got to get back, it's managing the number of games and being able to do that.

“I got a job at Middlesbrough where I didn't have all the skills that I wanted and I know how difficult that can be.

“Everybody will talk about us getting relegated but we finished 12th and 13th in the Premier League so I know I can manage in that division. I know I'm miles better than I was then, but also I'm in a position here where you can learn a hell of a lot.”