Middlesbrough will have to contain a future England international if they are to reach the Championship play-off final, says Bees manager Mark Warburton.

Midfielder Alex Pritchard, on loan at Brentford from Tottenham Hotspur, has starred for his men this term and has attracted the attention of other top flight managers in recent weeks.

The 22-year-old is expected to be part of England U21s manager Gareth Southgate’s squad for this summer’s European Championships.

But Warburton is confident that is not the limit of the youngster’s footballing ambitions.

“He’ll play at the very highest level. He has that edge to his game and is very young. He has ability desire and hunger,” he said.

“He has graced the Championship this year and there is a lot more to come, I’ve no doubt.

“In my opinion he will go on to grace White Hart Lane. He has got so much ability and he is hungry for more.

“I think he’ll grace the international stage and I hope he does well in the U21s this summer.

“He is a very bright, young English talent.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Alan Judge has been named in the Republic of Ireland’s provisional 33-man squad for two internationals in June.

Boss Martin O’Neill’s men host England on June 7 in a friendly before a crunch Euro 16 qualifier with Scotland on the June 13.