PLAYER PROFILE

David Wheater

Position: Defence

Height: 6'4

Weight: 12st 12lbs

Date of Birth: 1987-02-14 Redcar, England

David Wheater

David Wheater is a commanding defender whose height gives him presence at the back and he is also capable of scoring goals, as he proved with his effort against Finland for England Under 17s in February 2004.

He made a breakthrough into the first team when he appeared on the bench for some of Middlesbrough's European adventure during the 2004/05 campaign.

After a spell on loan at Doncaster he returned to the first team for several games at the end of the 2005/06 season.

He spent much of 2006/07 on loan at Darlington, but returned on the last day of the season to score a goal for Boro in their win over Fulham. That proved to be a turning point for Wheater, who has been involved much more in 2007/08, particularly after the departure of Jonathan Woodgate.

He has also been an important part of the England under-21 side and is rumoured to be close to a call-up to the full national squad.