PLAYER PROFILE

Gary O'Neil

Position: Midfield

Height: 5'8

Weight: 9st 8lbs

Date of Birth: 1983-05-18 South London, England

Gary O'Neil

Gary O'Neil signed for Portsmouth as a trainee in 1999 and has made rapid progress despite suffering a major injury setback.

The youngster broke his foot during the 2000/01 season but quickly recovered, and gained a regular first team place.

The London-born player is a hardworking and perceptive midfielder, who is quick because of his slight build.

O'Neil captained England's Under-19's to the last European Championships, and is now an established member of the Under-20 squad.

He started the 2003/04 season playing for Portsmouth although was loaned out to Walsall. During the month-long loan he made seven appearances. In October he returned to Pompey and went on to appear in four games and score two goals in the 6-1 win over Leeds in November. He suffered an injury at the end of 2003/04, and failed to appear again for the remainder of the season.

However, in September 2004, O'Neil agreed to join Championship strugglers Cardiff City on a three month loan. He impressed greatly there and was recalled by then-boss Harry Redknapp.

From then on he shone for Portsmouth in the rest of the 2004/05 campaign. All in all, he made 37 appearances and scored twice, proving his worth as Allain Perrin became the new top man at Fratton Park.

Despite Perrin's replacement as manager, this fine form continued until he left for Middlesbrough in August 2007 after gradually slipping down the pecking order under Harry Redknapp.