One to Watch: Jonathan Walters

We take a closer look at a player who might give City's defence headaches at Carrow Road on Sunday, Jonathan Walters.

Name: Jonathan Walters
Born: 20th September 1983 (Merseyside, England)
Height: 6ft (183cms)

Walters began his career with Blackburn Rovers but moved to Bolton in 2001 without making a first team appearance at Ewood Park.

In three years at the Reebok Stadium he only made four appearances but spent time on loan at Hull, Crewe and Barnsley before signing for the Tigers permanently in 2004.

Another loan spell followed in February 2005, this time at Scunthorpe, and after a year in Wrexham signed for Chester in 2006 and it was there that his career finally started to move in the right direction.

An impressive first half of the season and FA Cup performance against Ipswich caught the attention of the Tractor Boys and he signed for Town for an initial £150,000 in mid-January 2007.

He quickly became a first team regular at Portman Road and was named Player of the Year and Player's Player of the Year award in 2007/08.

He was named captain in August 2009 and a year later won a move to the Premier League when he joined Stoke for an initial £2.75m fee on 18th October.

Walters made his Stoke debut three days later and scored his first goal for the Potters in October against Blackburn.He scored twice in the FA Cup Semi-Final demolition of Bolton at Wembley, and was rewarded for a fine first season at the Britannia Stadium by signing a new contract today.

Speaking to Stoke's official site, boss Tony Pulis commented:

'Jon's rise to prominence is an inspiration to others. He has had to battle his way back up from the lower leagues through hard work and dedication.

'We took him on because we thought he could do a good job for us, but he has actually done fantastically well and he has now got his just rewards.

'I am sure there are other players out there who could follow his example and make an impact in the Premier League if they are given the chance.'

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