Pulis hopes to prise Gibson away from Boro

Cape Town - West Brom manager Tony Pulis is hoping to sign Middlesbrough captain Ben Gibson, but knows that Boro want to keep the defender.

The Baggies had two bids turned down on Tuesday, reports Sky Sports News, with Boro chairman Steve Gibson not keen on selling his nephew as he aims to steer the club straight back into the Premier League.

"Ben is a smashing player and I am sure Middlesbrough will want to keep him," Pulis said after his side's preseason win over Burton.

"They'll be looking to get promoted again and you can understand they do not want to get rid of Ben. Steve Gibson has had a right go and ploughed a lot of money again into the playing side.

"We have had enquiries for Ben and we've had enquiries for other players as well. We'll see how those enquiries go, but I think it's going to be very hard to get Ben out of Middlesbrough."