PLAYER PROFILE

John Oster

Position: Midfield

Height: 5'9

Weight: 10st 13lbs

Date of Birth: 1978-12-08 Boston, England

John Oster

John Oster is capable of playing on either wing. After starting out at Grimsby, Everton beat Manchester United and Newcastle to his signature. Howard Kendall was delighted to sign the Welsh international but despite some telling performances he could never secure a permanent place in the Goodison side.

Peter Reid stepped in and John decided to fight for a first team place at Sunderland. This was far from guaranteed as Sunderland got off to a flier in the Premiership in 1999/2000, but his competitive nature ensures he'll always be trying.

He has been linked with a move away from Sunderland a number of times, as he has never really settled in at the club. In January 2002, he was close to a move to Grimsby, but it fell apart when he damaged his knee ligaments in a reserve game, which ended his 2001/02 season and left him struggling to be fit in time for the start of the following season.

Nevertheless, he did receieve a boost soon after, when Sunderland offered him a 12 month extension to his contract at the Stadium of Light. However, he was soon back on loan at Grimsby. He also enjoyed a loan period at Leeds United (2004), before finally finishing the 2004/05 season at Burnley.

However, this was only a short term deal and, after training with Millwall in the summer of 2005, Reading came in for him, offering him a one-year contract.

Life at the Madejski has proven tough for Oster, often having to play second fiddle to Glen Little.

This didn't improve in 2006/07 as he made only a handful of appearances, mostly as a substitute. However, his Premier League experience proved important and he is a vital utility man for Steve Coppell's side.