BEN GIBSON is planning to head to the Riverside on Friday night to get behind the next Middlesbrough young gun to hit the international stage.

Dael Fry, who won the Under-20s World Cup with England in the summer, is hoping to pull on the Three Lions shirt in his hometown when the Under-21s face Scotland.

Fry has impressed in Middlesbrough colours this season after establishing himself as a reliable option at the heart of the defence alongside Gibson.

Now Gibson, too old to play for the Under-21s and has not given up on forcing his way into the senior team for next year’s World Cup in Russia, is looking forward to seeing his team-mate follow in his footsteps.

Gibson remembers appearing for the Under-21s under Gareth Southgate at the Riverside in 2015 against Germany, and how proud he felt. Fellow Teessider Fry could follow suit this week.

“I remember it being a massive occasion,” Gibson said. “We played Germany at the Riverside and the fans came out in force as well. That was a fantastic memory for me.

“I remember as a local lad feeling a bit of pressure. You hope the fans have come out to support you and I owe them a thank you really when they did that and created a fantastic atmosphere.

“Hopefully this time I’ll be there watching Dael, and he’ll play as well as he has for us.”

Fry, who will hope to be back in Garry Monk’s team at Barnsley a week on Saturday, lost his place to Ryan Shotton for Saturday’s draw with Brentford, having been guilty of a mistake that ended with Norwich winning at the Riverside last Tuesday.

But the 20-year-old has impressed this season since replacing Daniel Ayala after the opening weekend defeat at Wolves – and Gibson is confident the younger academy graduate will get better and better.

“Playing at the Riverside for your country is something noone will be able to take away from him,” Gibson told the club’s website. “I’ve still got the poster of me in my England kit in my dad’s house. Dael thoroughly deserves it, he’s a top lap and I’m sure he’ll keep improving.”

Tickets are still available for England Under-21s game with Scotland at the Riverside on Friday (kick-off 7.45pm), priced £10 for adults and £5 for under-18s, over-65s and students. A family ticket (two adults and two children) is £20.