Aitor Karanka has predicted an international future for Ben Gibson, provided the Middlesbrough centre-half stays grounded after his arrival in the Premier League.

Karanka is expected to illustrate his faith in 23-year-old Gibson by naming him as captain at West Brom tomorrow in the absence of regular skipper Grant Leadbitter and his stand-in George Friend.

And the Boro boss is backing the centre-half to quickly progress in the top flight and stake a claim for a place in Sam Allardyce's England squad.

"I hope it happens," Karanka said. "If Ben keeps growing as he has been growing, why not?

"The main thing for him is to keep going in the same way. If he thinks he is England's top player, he is making a big mistake.

"I have lot of experience in my life and you think a person is never going to lose his head, but it sometimes happens.

"I don't think he he's one of them I hope he's in this group for the next 15 years and the national team."

Karanka admires the way Gibson has come through the club's Academy system and handled the extra pressure of being the nephew of chairman Steve Gibson.

The Boro manager said: "Sometimes he has to show more than others because they are linking him with his uncle.

"His character is hard because you have to work more to show you are playing because you are a good player, not that you are the chairman's nephew."

While Gibson will play, Karanka is yet to announce who will be on either side of him at The Hawthorns.

The manager's chief dilemma is at left-back where Friend will be missing because of a shoulder injury and possible replacements Fabio and James Husband are also ruled out.

Antonio Barragan, a right-back who played at centre-half in the opening league games, is a candidate to take over, although Karanka is also contemplating a tactical change which could feature three central defenders.

Adam Reach, the winger who is likely to leave before the transfer deadline, is not in the reckoning despite being used at left-back in two pre-season friendlies.

Karanka said: "It didn't work and I'm not stupid. The last thing I want to do is damage a player. It was a plan, but that test didn't work.

"I have been speaking with him. He understood at the time and now he understands that it's not his position. I have a lot of alternatives."

Daniel Alves may return to Premier League action alongside Gibson at the heart of the defence, while Colombian international defender Bernardo Espinosa is also in the squad after impressing Karanka in appearances for the under-21's.

The manager said: "Pre-season was really good for Bernardo and I've been impressed with his work. I can feel he's desperate to play. The best thing is that nobody recognised him, but now they are impressed with his performances. He's showing that he's a good player.

"He will bring his professionalism, his hunger and his quality to the team. He's a good player to put pressure on the players in the team."

Striker Jordan Rhodes remains in the squad after playing no part in their first three league and cup games, but Karanka does not want to let him leave before the transfer deadline.

"It's not an issue for me," the manager said. "All I can say is that he's a good player and his record is there for all to see. I'm pleased to have players like him in the squad. Your chances always come in football and you have to be ready."

Some players will depart before the end of the month, however. Karanka insisted he is not "desperate" to sanction departures, but said: "I'm really calm.

"The group has been working really well, so it permits me to focus on the game and in three or four days it will be clear about who can leave and who can stay.

"We have I don't know how many players and we can have only 25, so some will leave for sure."