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Martin Kelly is a defender who has a big future for both club and country.

Currently competing with Glen Johnson for a place at right-back, Kelly can also operate in the centre of defence.

Though yet to make a place in the Liverpool side his own, his potential was emphasised when he was called into England's Euro 2012 squad by new boss Roy Hodgson.

Born in the north-west, the Academy graduate missed almost two years of his development due to a back problem before breaking into the reserves during 2007-08.

Kelly played a key part as they won the league before Rafael Benitez gave him a senior debut as a substitute in a Champions League clash with PSV on December 9, 2008.

Three months later the youngster was loaned to Huddersfield Town, where he featured seven times, scored a first professional goal against Walsall and earned high praise from assistant boss Terry McDermott.

After arriving back at Melwood ahead of the 2009-10 season, Kelly was handed his first start for Liverpool in the Champions League group stage encounter with Lyon at Anfield on October 20 before injuries disrupted his season.

He returned to fitness ahead of 2010-11 and found himself the subject of an England U21 call-up. Kelly rewarded gaffer Stuart Pearce with a headed goal on his debut against Uzbekistan.

His Anfield career would also flourish during the 16-month reign of Kenny Dalglish, when he grabbed regular chances to impress and carved a reputation as one of the most promising defenders in the country.

One of the highlights of Kelly's young career came when he nodded another goal at Stamford Bridge to help send Liverpool to the 2011-12 Carling Cup semi-finals. They would, of course, go on to lift the trophy, though our fledgling star would have to settle for a place on the bench as Cardiff were dispatched in a penalty shoot-out at Wembley.

Nor did Kelly feature in the FA Cup final that followed, though he wouldn't have to wait long to show his potential to a national audience following the appointment of Hodgson as Three Lions boss.

Our No.34 was initially called into the England squad for one match only - a friendly in Norway on May 26, 2012 in which he featured as a late substitute for Phil Jones.

However, an injury to Gary Cahill saw him drafted into the 23-man squad for Euro 2012. Though he warmed the bench throughout, it was valuable experience for a player who seems destined to win many international caps.

An ACL rupture during the opening weeks of the 2012-13 campaign once again delayed Kelly's ascent, but the defender was comforted by a new long-term contract with the Reds - which he signed on February 8, 2013.