REPORTS in Scotland claim ex-Chelsea central defender Michael Duberry is a target of Oxford United.

Duberry, 35, has been outstanding for St Johnstone over the past 18 months, helping them to two cup semi-finals and eighth place last season in the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League.

Duberry, who lives in London with his wife and four daughters, is keen to return south, and the Perth-based club, though reluctant to see him leave, seem to have accepted the inevitable as they are currently signing other centre backs.

Duberry would appear to fit the bill at Oxford, where the U’s are looking to increase experience at the back.

A source in Scotland claims to have been told that Oxford are interested in Duberry.

He said: “The player was just immense for St Johnstone last season, and breezed through every game.

“Even faced with the best strikers in the league, against Rangers and Celtic, they never got the better of him.

“He could easily play at Championship level in England.”

United manager Chris Wilder would not comment on the specific speculation over Duberry.

However, he confirmed Oxford were eyeing four more signings, possibly five, and an experienced centre back was one of the targets.

“I’m looking to bring another centre half in, a midfielder, a No 2 goalkeeper, and a striker who can maybe offer us something different,” he said.

“We’re after an experienced centre half to complement Harry Worley and Jake Wright, and Ryan James.

“We felt we needed more experience, and have already brought in Andy Whing and Tony Capaldi, who are the right age.”

Duberry’s is likely to attract interest from a number of clubs, however.

He won the League Cup, Cup Winners’ Cup and European Super Cup with Chelsea, and played a part in Leeds’ march to the semi-finals of the Champions League a decade ago.

The 6ft 1in defender then went on to play for Stoke and Reading, before a less happy time at Wycombe.

But Duberry said his time at St Johnstone rekindled his enthusiasm for the game.