GARETH SOUTHGATE has kept Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson in the England squad despite suffering relegation from the Premier League at club level this season.

Gibson has impressed during a frustrating campaign for Boro and his performances have made him one of the most sought after defenders in the country.

Middlesbrough face a fight to keep him over the summer and the 24-year-old's appearance in the England squad only enhances the left-side centre-back's reputation.

Gibson had his maiden international call-up in March following Chris Smalling's withdrawal and Southgate has kept him in.

He did not feature in the World Cup qualifying win over Lithuania so will hope to figure in either the World Cup qualifier against Scotland at Hampden Park on June 10 or the friendly against France in Paris three days later.

Southgate has also kept Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe in the squad for the double header. The 34-year-old, who is on the verge of a Bournemouth move, scored on his return to the England stage in March.

ENGLAND SQUAD:

Jack Butland (Stoke), Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Torino, on loan from Man City), Tom Heaton (Burnley); Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Aaron Cresswell (West Ham), BEN GIBSON (MIDDLESBROUGH), Phil Jones (Man Utd), Chris Smalling (Man Utd), John Stones (Man City), Kieran Trippier (Tottenham), Kyle Walker (Tottenham); Dele Alli (Tottenham), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), Jesse Lingard (Man Utd), Jake Livermore (West Brom), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Man City); JERMAIN DEFOE (SUNDERLAND), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Jamie Vardy (Leicester).