Middlesbrough No2 Malcolm Crosby says Luke Young is the best English right-back playing in the Premiership.

He told the Evening Gazette: "I think that Luke Young is as good as any full-back in the country on his current form.

"It was a surprise not to see him back in the England squad for the match against Switzerland, but from a totally selfish point of view, I was absolutely delighted.

"Don't get me wrong. I think he fully deserved to be back in the England squad. But the fact that he wasn't called up meant that we could give him a rest.

"But if he keeps playing like this I can't see any reason why Luke shouldn't get back into the England squad very soon.

"We are just delighted to have such a quality player performing like this on a regular basis."