Garry Monk wants to keep Ben Gibson at Middlesbrough – despite interest from Liverpool.

The new Boro boss will hold talks with the England defender to insist he wants all his best players to be part of a promotion push.

Monk was unveiled by Boro and admitted the pressure is on to bounce back into the Premier League.

On Gibson, currently on England duty in France, he said: “Ben is one of a number of players here who are integral to the squad, integral to making that step back.

“Ben is obviously a big focal point the team. I’ve watched him over the last couple of seasons, and I’m well aware of him and what he can bring to the team.

“It’s important that you keep your best players, and important you’re able to keep a core together and give yourself the best possible opportunity of reaching the club’s ambition, which is to go back to the Premier League.

“Ben is a big part of that. Discussions will happen with players. It’s my job to sit with them, and show them the way forward.

“It’s important that we keep our best players, and the club are in agreement with that.”

Source: Daily Mirror

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