Steve Gibson has defended Middlesbrough's decision to sell Luke Young to Aston Villa for £6million - as they bought him for £2.5million.Young only arrived at The Riverside last year from Charlton.

The England full-back had an excellent debut campaign and was many fans' pick for Boro's Player of the Year.

However, just over a week before the start of the Premier League season Boro have opted to sell their first-choice right-back - a move which has been criticised by a number of fans who have questioned the club's ambition.

But Gibson has come out quickly to assure fans that Young will be replaced and that the deal taking him to Aston Villa was actually worth £6million.

"The fans need to know that we will only do what's right for the football club in the short term, medium term and the long term," he told the club's official website.

"Selling a 29-year-old full-back for £6million a year after we bought him for £2.5million, and doing so in the knowledge that we will replace him, is right for the football club in the short term, medium term and the long term.

"We're already busy working on bringing in a replacement."

Boro are already being strongly linked with a move for Arsenal's Justin Hoyte, whilst Fulham's Moritz Volz and Steve Finnan of Liverpool have also been mentioned as possible targets for Gareth Southgate.

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