John Beresford

Age : 33                                  Date of birth : 4.9.1966

Place of birth : Sheffield          Nationality : English

Position : Defence                     Squad number : 3

Height : 5ft 8ins                       Weight : 11st 12lb

Signed : 1.2.98 from Newcastle

      The diminutive full-back has been plagued by injuries since arriving at the club from Newcastle United for a fee of £1.5M in February 1998, a fact which has limited his appearances to just 14 prior to the start of this season. A serious knee ligament injury sidelined him for virtually the whole of last season as he attempted to establish himself in the left-back role. Beresford started his career at Manchester City, but failed to make a first team appearance in nearly three years before moving to Barnsley. After 100 appearances and eight goals at Oakwell, the left-sided player sampled his first taste of life on the south coast with a move to Portsmouth in March 1989, where he made 132 appearances and scored ten goals at Fratton Park. But it was when he moved to Newcastle United in the summer of 1992 that Beresford's career took off. Under Kevin Keegan, Beresford flourished, as he was given the licence to attack down the left flank, despite the occasional disagreement with the now England coach. After 232 appearances and eight goals, the defender opted for a move to Southampton before injury ravaged his chances of making an impact. He went out on loan to Birmingham earlier this season, but injury curtailed his chances there, and he will be hoping to return to full fitness to battle for the left-back spot.