George Boateng is delighted for Middlesbrough teammate David Wheater after his England call-up.

"In a few years' time this boy is going to be England's first-choice at centre-back - if he stays the way he is and develops his game really well," said Boateng.

"For us and for him, it is a great achievement and the fact he has already made the squad means, going towards qualification for the World Cup, if you keep playing well you have a good chance of playing a the World Cup.

"That's what he has to look at. The bigger picture is playing maybe not now, but the next international games. The World Cup qualification starts later this year, so that's what he has to look at.

"The fact he has been selected now means the door is open. Can you perform well to go through that door?"