Opportunity may knock at Middlesbrough for highly-rated Connor Ripley

BRIGHT FUTURE: Connor Ripley, right, in action for Oldham against Sheffield United earlier this season. Picture: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

The 24-year-old has just completed an outstanding campaign on loan at League One outfit Oldham Athletic and despite a year of struggle for the Latics, Ripley kept 18 clean sheets, the highest number in the division.

Talk is now turning to his future and with Boro looking destined for an immediate return to the Championship, there is likely to be a clamour from supporters for him to be given his chance in 2017-18, should the Teessiders go down.

With ex-Barcelona custodian Victor Valdes likely to depart in the event of relegation and No 2 Brad Guzan moving to the MLS to join Atlanta United in the summer, a potential vacancy between the posts could well arrive, with the only other option being the experienced Dimi Konstantopoulos, who turns 39 in November.

Keeping his fingers crossed, Ripley – son of former Boro winger Stuart – said: “At the end of the day, I have another year left on my contract at Middlesbrough.

“I personally do want to be at Middlesbrough. I want to be playing there, at the club I have supported since I was a kid.

“But if they don’t think I am ready, then I will probably go back out on loan.

“There is talk about me staying at Middlesbrough and what will happen if they go down. We will have to just wait and see.”

Birmingham striker Che Adams’s red card against Huddersfield Town on Saturday has been rescinded by the FA.

The former Sheffield United player was dismissed by referee Mike Jones in the 22nd minute for a challenge on Huddersfield defender Martin Cranie.