MICHAEL Duberry will captain Oxford United for the first time tomorrow when they entertain Accrington Stanley at the Kassam Stadium.

The former Chelsea defender takes over the skipper’s armband from Jake Wright, who must serve a one-match ban after his sending off at Barnet last week.

Wright was dismissed after picking up a second yellow card in United’s 2-0 victory, prompting boss Chris Wilder to criticise ex-U’s winger Sam Deering for over-reacting to Wright’s injury-time tackle.

Duberry and Wright have been ever-presents this season, meaning United must find a new central defensive partnership tomorrow.

Wilder said that handing the captaincy to the 35-year-old was an easy decision.

“He is a natural leader anyway, but Dubes will captain the side on Saturday,” Wilder revealed.

“Nothing has changed my view on the sending-off, I thought the boy (Sam Deering) was bang out of order.

“But we just have to get on with it and whoever comes in will do a good job I am sure.”

Duberry has played at the highest level, and has proved a tremendous addition for United since joining from St Johnstone in the summer.

“The reason we brought him into the football club I think was particularly evident in the last two away matches,” Wilder said.

“He was a rock at Dagenham and at Barnet he marshalled everbody and took the sting out of the game. That’s what it is all about, game management.

“He’s been superb both on and off the pitch and it’s disappointing that the partnership with Jake has to be broken up, but whoever comes in will be OK.

“It’s good that we are keeping clean sheets and taking chances and hopefully we can continue to do that on Saturday.”

Duberry has already become a real favourite with the United fans – the Oxford Mail stand chanting ‘Dubes’ every time he wins a tackle or header.

And Wilder is well aware of the impact he has had on United.

“He is a very good player,” Wilder said.

“From my point of view, some will be favourites and at the moment some won’t be.

“Dubes and Peter Leven have possibly come in and taken the eye straight away, but others are all playing their part.”