DREAM TEAM

AARON WILBRAHAM – The Bristol City striker chooses his favourite XI, made up from players he has played with in his football career.

GOALKEEPERI

John Ruddy – Norwich The season we got promoted to the Premier League at Norwich he was unbelievable. There was a period when he was making world-class saves in every game. His England call-up was fully deserved and he’s gone from strength to strength.

RIGHT BACKI

Kyle Naughton – Swansea Kyle was on loan at Norwich from Tottenham in our first season in the Premier League and he brought a bit of class. He always seemed to have a bit more time than anyone else, no matter how much he was getting pressed. He is a cool customer.

CENTRE BACKI

Russell Martin – Norwich Russell is the ultimate professional. His diet is incredible, he doesn’t drink alcohol at all and he’s a gym goer before and after training – every day! On top of that he’s actually a brilliant defender and can chip in with the odd goal as well.

CENTRE BACKI

Mike Flynn – Retired Mike was a die-hard centre-back and gave me a lesson or two when I was first starting out at Stockport. He would put his body on the line and was a real leader. You need characters like that.

LEFT BACKI

Marc Tierney – Bolton Marc is a funny lad – a real character who never stops telling jokes. When Norwich went up people expected him to struggle, but he was playing so well that players like Nani were being substituted for Manchester United because they were having such a tough time against him.

RIGHTI MIDFIELDI

Jason Puncheon – Crystal Palace I was with him at MK Dons and Crystal Palace and he’s really powerful – deceptively so considering his size! He’s incredibly clever the way he backs into defenders and he can shoot equally well with both feet.

CENTRALI MIDFIELDI

Mile Jedinak – Crystal Palace A proper leader – in fact he’s more like a manager already! When I was at Palace in the Championship and at the start of the Premier League season, he was barking orders out like he was the gaffer! He can’t stand losing – even the games of twotouch!

LEFT MIDFIELDI

Anthony Pilkington – Cardiff He always wants the ball and never hides, even if he’s lost it six times before that. He’d always put in loads of brilliant crosses, which was great as a striker, but he’s a real threat himself and scores important goals.

ATTACKINGI MIDFIELDI

Wes Hoolahan – Norwich You just can’t get the ball off him in training, it’s so annoying! What people perhaps don’t really appreciate is the hard work he puts in off the ball as well. He’s like a little Yorkshire terrier when he hasn’t got the ball, and when he has got it he’s a step ahead of everyone else.

STRIKERI

Rickie Lambert – Liverpool Rickie is my best friend in football – I went to his wedding and he came to mine. I saw him the other day while I was having dinner with my wife. He was playing golf and we had a catchup. He was playing centre midfield when we were at Stockport, so it’s brilliant to see how well he’s done.

STRIKERI

Grant Holt – Wigan His quality was questioned when he made the step up from League One to the Championship – and again when he went up to the Premier League – but he always scores goals. They weren’t any old goals either, they were against the likes of Man United and Liverpool. He was a great captain and leader on and off the pitch.