Aitor Karanka: 'Ben Gibson is vital for Middlesbrough'

Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka has revealed that the return to fitness of Ben Gibson is vital for his team at the start of the campaign.

The England Under-21 international missed the first three matches of the season after being ruled out with a hamstring injury, but he made his comeback against Derby County in his side's 1-1 draw at the iPro Stadium.

Karanka told Sports Mole: "It's important because we don't have another player that can play in his position. The first game Dael [Fry] played and in the second it was Tomas [Kalas].

"Gibbo is the only natural player at left centre-back, so it's very important for us to have him available.

"He got injured three weeks ago and Tuesday was his first match back so I have to speak with him to see if he is ready again to play on Saturday."

Middlesbrough face Bristol City at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.