Under the guidance of Aitor Karanka, Middlesbrough are enjoying their best season since their relegation from the Premier League in 2009.

The Teesiders sit second in the Championship, four points clear of Burnley in third and just a single point off Hull City at the summit of the league as they look to return to the top-flight for 2016/17.

Unsurprisingly, this success has been built not only on the strength of Karanka's side as a whole, but also on the form of several individual players who have impressed for the club on a weekly basis.

Boro's promotion would give some of their players the chance that they deserve to play in the top flight, but there are some who have arguably already earned a move to an established Premier League club.

We've looked at THREE of Middlesbrough's stars who should get a shot at the big time.......

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE 3 PLAYERS!

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Adam Clayton

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Signed by Karanka from Huddersfield Town in 2014 after being named the Terriers' player of the year, Clayton has become an integral part of the promotion-chasing Boro side in the centre of midfield.

After featuring 49 times in all competitions for the club last season, the 27-year-old has already played 32 times in the current campaign and has impressed with his combative displays.

The former Manchester City youth prospect is now in the peak age of his career, and his consistently high level of performance over the last two years have earned him the right to try his hand in the top flight.

Named Championship player of the month for December, if Clayton can improve his discipline and reduce the amount of yellow cards that he picks up, he has the potential to fit right in at the top level of English football.

Ben Gibson

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The nephew of current Boro chairman Steve Gibson, he has matured into a commanding centre-back in recent years and is now a key foundation of the club's success.

His importance to the side is illustrated by the fact that Middlesbrough have lost only six Championship games this season, and they have been without Gibson in defence on all of those occasions.

Incredibly, Boro are unbeaten and have let in a total of just five goals in the 21 games that Gibson and Daniel Ayala have started together this season, and at just 23 Gibson will feel that he is approaching the time at which he should be playing Premier League football.

The former England Under-21 international has all the attributes to become a solid top-flight centre-back and could have a great career ahead of him, if he can steer clear of niggling injury problems.

Christian Stuani

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Stuani only joined Middlesbrough in the summer from Espanyol but he has already become a key player for Karanka's side.

The Uruguayan international is the club's top scorer with 10 goals from 25 games in all competitions in his debut season in England, form which has helped fire his side to a promotion challenge.

At the age of 29 he will feel that cashing in on this form may be his last good chance to play Premier League football, and he could certainly add to the firepower of some struggling top-flight sides.

With the inflated prices of the current market, Boro may feel that they could make a significant profit on the £3.5 million or so that they paid for him in the summer.