I hadn't heard of Wheater but he's been brilliant this season, says Boro team-mate O'Neil - Sport - Evening Standard
       

I hadn't heard of Wheater but he's been brilliant this season, says Boro team-mate O'Neil

Middlesbrough's Gary O'Neil had never heard of David Wheater until he joined the Teesside club, but he believes the young defender can become an England regular.

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And O'Neil said the Redcar-born centre-half deserved his call-up to the original 30-man England squad.

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Case for the defence: David Wheater snuffs out a chance for Michael Owen during the Tyne-Tees derby

He said: "David's had a brilliant season, he's been fantastic for us.

"To be honest, I hadn't really heard of him at all before I came up to Middlesbrough.

"He's come through in a massive way and I think everyone in the country knows who he is now."

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