PLAYER PROFILE

Michael Duberry

Position: Defence

Height: 6'1

Weight: 12st 13lbs

Date of Birth: 1975-10-14 Enfield, England

Michael Duberry

Michael Duberry was hailed as one of the best young talents to emerge from the Chelsea youth set-up since Ray Wilkins, but was unable to command a regular place at Stamford Bridge because of the club's policy of buying expensive foreign imports. So Duberry jumped at the chance to join an impressive Leeds side with much potential in the summer of 1999.

He was immediately placed in the first team and finally looked set to fulfill the promise he showed in West London. Unfortunately, an injury sustained in September of the 1999/00 season sidelined him for two months, and he struggled to break back into the side once he was fully recovered.

However, Duberry then found himself on the sidelines - either through injury or the form of others. His involvement in the high profile court case in 2001/02 further affected his chances of involvement but Duberry has vowed to put injury and controversy behind him to force his way into a side not short of quality defensive players.

He made 21 appearances for Leeds United in season 2002/03 collecting just 2 yellow cards.

When Jonathan Woodgate left Elland Road, Duberry was hopeful ogf getting back into the side, but was instead loaned out to Stoke in 2005, whom he joined shortly after.

Over 80 superb displays for the Potters got his career back on track and he was snapped up by Reading in January 2007. His experience is sure to come in vital for the Royals as they seek to build on the superb form of their first Premier League season