O’Grady keen to take his chance

WHILE Craig Davies is trying to rebuild his career at Boundary Park, another Athletic striker is trying to revive his away from the club.

Chris O’Grady has found himself loaned to Bradford City, his second such temporary transfer of the campaign after an earlier move to Bury.

O’Grady, who has failed to find the net for Athletic, Bury and Bradford, has admitted his summer transfer from Rotherham has not worked out.

He explained: “My move to Oldham has stalled my career as I was playing every week at Rotherham, but I’m not at Oldham.

“I cannot complain at not being in the Oldham side because they started the season well and have gone on from strength to strength.

“They had a settled side before I arrived, and I have not been able to break into the first team.

“The move to Bradford is a chance for me to get back on track, though I know there is competition for places, which is a healthy thing.

“That pushes people and hopefully I can win a first-team place and keep it.”

O’Grady’s prospects of making a breakthrough with Athletic have receded following the arrival of Dean Windass on loan.

Windass and Lee Hughes look set to be the first choice strike paring with Craig Davies, Lewis Alessandra and Deane Smalley providing plenty of back-up.



NEAL EARDLEY, Athletic’s highly-rated right-back, refuses to be carried away by his exploits for Wales.

The 20-year-old, who has been capped eight times by his country, acknowledges the debt he owes his club.

Eardley explained: “If I didn’t have my club football, there would be no chance of being involved in the Wales set-up which is why it is important for me to play well for Latics.

“It is important I concentrate on what I do for my club and hopefully things will kick on from there.”

Eardley has also discovered that an international career does not guarantee a first-team place at Boundary Park.

Eardley returned from Wales duty against Denmark in November to find Kelvin Lomax had claimed his right-back spot.

He had to wait before getting back into the startling line-up at Peterborough – and that was in an unfamiliar midfield role.

He said: “It is great to be back in the side because I was out for six games which was disappointing because all I want to do is play games.

“Kelvin, who is one of my best mates, had come in the side and done well and obviously the manager didn’t want to change the team.

“I was pleased for Kelvin, though obviously disappointed I was not playing.

“When that happens all you can do is keep your head down and work hard and hopefully you will get your rewards.”

Eardley, who made his full debut for Wales during the 2007/08 season, says he is now adjusting to international football, which he admits, is a massive step up from Coca-Cola League One.

“When I first joined up with the squad it was all new to me and I was a little star-struck when I had players like Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy and Jason Koumas – who have been in the Premier League for years – as team-mates,” he said.

“I was taken aback by it all, but I like to think I have settled in and done well when I have played.”