The 21-year-old central defender has been a massive hit at the Riverside Stadium this season having emerged from the ranks to command a regular place in the team and catch the eye of new England boss Fabio Capello.

Coach Colin Cooper, who was also capped by England during his lengthy playing career, has been hugely impressed with Wheater but is confident there is even more to come.

He said: "You do hit a mental, emotional and physical brick wall when you burst onto the scene, and the difference between the good and the best is whether you can climb over that wall.

"We took Wheats out of the team earlier in the season and he has been a different class since he returned.

"The next step is whether he can continue that rise and not plateau off.

"He needs to finish the season well, relax during the summer - but not too much - and then prove himself all over again next year.

"The world is his oyster and we hope he can keep on improving."

Wheater started pre-season training last summer as fifth-choice central defender with Jonathan Woodgate, Robert Huth, Emanuel Pogatetz and Chris Riggott all on the books.

But injuries gave him his chance and he has not looked back.

Cooper added: "I'm not surprised by his progression. You see him everyday in training and you couldn't tell whether he was playing Premiership football or for his Sunday League team.

"His whole persona is very relaxed. The rise to stardom has not affected him and that is a great attribute to have.

"Something clicked in the last 12 to 18 months where he has grown up as a player and as a person and we are now seeing the full benefits."

Such has been Wheater's development that he signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract in February.

His rise to prominence was capped when he was selected in the initial 30-man party for England's friendly clash with France last month.

Although he did not make the final 23, that was a major achievement for a man who 12 months earlier was learning his trade on loan at League Two Darlington.