Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson has claimed that returning to the Premier League next season would be a huge lift for the town.

Gibson was a member of the club's academy during their last spell in the top flight of English football, and the 22-year-old insists that he is fully aware of the pressure the squad are under to deliver promotion.

"I was only a young lad, I was just a fan, really, and part of the academy at that time, so I can't really comprehend what that would be like in and around day-to-day," the defender told reporters.

"But as a fan, it's as important because of the difference now, we all know, financially between the Championship and the Premier League, and just the difference in the effect it has on the town is massive, so I would think this is as big a finish to the season as any of them."

Aitor Karanka's side can climb from fourth to the top of the table by beating Norwich City on Friday evening.