Middlesbrough goalkeeper Connor Ripley has revealed in an interview with The Gazette that it would be a "dream come true" to become Boro's first choice stopper one day.

The 24-year-old is currently out on loan at Burton Albion - his sixth temporary stint away from The Riverside - and he wants to impress Garry Monk while he is with The Brewers.

Asked whether becoming the regular number one for Middlesbrough is his long term ambition, Ripley told The Gazette: “That is something you always strive for and something that I have always wanted.

"It will be a dream come true but you have to take it step by step.

“You can’t rush these things, especially as a goalkeeper and especially with a club the size of Middlesbrough and a club with ambitions like Middlesbrough."

Ripley has not quite got the game time he would have liked yet at Burton Albion as he has been restricted to just three cup games and two league games, but he is ready to bide his time with Stephen Bywater performing well.

After impressing at Oldham last season and grabbing the most clean sheets in the division, many Boro fans called for him to be given a first team chance after Victor Valdes and Brad Guzan departed.

However, the arrival of Darren Randolph from West Ham forced Monk to send Ripley out on another loan.

Speaking about that decision, Ripley added:

“Garry Monk didn’t think I was ready and I respect that so I have gone out on loan to get that experience.

“If I’d stayed at Boro I would have probably been on the bench.

"I could have done that, I could have sat there and waited for a chance.

“But I wanted to play games, I want the buzz of walking out on the pitch, making saves and playing games.

“But I know I will get may chance.

"Nigel Clough said that I will get my chance at Burton and I will hold him to his word."

The Verdict

Connor Ripley could have been handed his chance this season but Monk, feeling that Ripley was not ready, decided to bring in Randolph instead.

The 24-year-old faces a big task in trying to replace the Republic of Ireland stopper between the sticks for Boro but he seems more determined now than he has done previously.

After impressing at Oldham, he needs to seize his chance when he does play for Burton.

Boro fans - Do you think that Ripley will be your number one in the future? Let us know below...