BEN GIBSON will return to the starting line-up for this evening’s England Under-21 game with Germany – and the Middlesbrough defender could find himself playing in front of a record crowd at the Riverside.

More than 30,000 fans are expected as international football returns to the North-East, and with tickets remaining on sale right up to kick-off, the final attendance could break the record for an Under-21 international away from Wembley, which currently stands at the 33,184 who watched England play Holland at Derby’s Pride Park in 2005.

The strong show of support confirms the North-East’s passion for top-class football, and is also a reflection of the level of an interest in Gareth Southgate’s Under-21 side as they complete their preparations for this summer’s European Championships in the Czech Republic.

“There’s been sensible ticket pricing, and that’s important because we want to get a lot of youngsters coming to the game,” said Southgate. “They don’t get to see the senior team too much, with them playing at Wembley, so there’s a great opportunity with the under-21s to get England on the road.

“Plenty of the players are still high-profile, even though they’re not established senior internationals yet. The area is passionate about its football, and hopefully people have seen the way we’ve played and are looking forward to coming to watch us play.”

With Patrick Bamford unavailable because of injury, Gibson is the only Middlesbrough player in the squad, and having sat out Friday’s friendly win in the Czech Republic, the centre-half will come back into the starting line-up tonight.

He has been a key member of Boro’s back four throughout the campaign, with his composed performances forming an important part of the club’s ongoing promotion battle.

“He’s really looking forward to it, and he’s in our squad on merit,” said Southgate. “It’s not just because he’s playing here, he was excellent in the two play-off games. He’s got a strong mentality, and is improving all the time.

“When you look at who’s not in the side at Middlesbrough, that probably tells you all you need to know about his development and importance to the promotion push.

“Hopefully, international football has given him something different, a slightly different style of game and that will all add to his individual talents as a player.”