Big question mark over Gibson’s

BORO’S incoming manager is likely to have a large input into the future of Ben Gibson. The Teessiders are expected to delay any decision on the future of the outstanding 24-year-old defender until the new boss can have a chat with him and also his uncle Steve Gibson. Boro know that they can realise a huge sum for Gibson should they decide to cash in during the summer.

Figures of £25-30m are regularly mentioned, with a host of clubs including Chelsea, Manchester City, Spurs, Everton and West Brom all said to be keen.

The cash influx would be useful for any new manager looking to bolster his squad, but at the same time he will also appreciate the advantages of having the irrepressible Gibson around for at least another 12 months.

The Middlesbrough-born defender was one of few Boro players who found life in the Premier League comfortable last season.

Gibson’s latest England international call-up for the World Cup qualifier against Scotland and a friendly against France will intensify the player’s own thoughts about his future.

However, he admitted this week that he “didn’t know “what was going to happen this sum- mer. Gibson said: “Everyone knows how much I love this football club.

“I always have done since I was 10 years old and walked in here. I’ve given absolutely everything.

“I would say that every player in the world wants to play in the Premier League and at the highest level and I’m no different to that.

“No decisions have been made