Hill hoping to keep O’Grady
Reporter: MATTHEW CHAMBERS
Date published: 15 December 2009
ROCHDALE boss Keith Hill has urged his club directors to do everything they can to hold on to on–loan Athletic striker Chris O’Grady.
O’Grady has scored nine goals in 20 appearances during his spell at Spotland but is due to return to Boundary Park on January 16.
The 23–year–old has admitted he is keen to remain with the League Two club, while Hill has informed the Dale board of the need for O’Grady to stay beyond the new year.
“Even a blind man can see we have to sign O’Grady. He’s a must for us and I’ve made that clear to those who make the decisions,” Hill told Sky Sports.
Athletic boss Dave Penney has already signalled his intention to recall O’Grady, reiterating his position after the win over Exeter at the weekend despite the likely return to fitness of top scorer Pawel Abbott for the busy post-Christmas period.
Abbott has started light training following his lay-off after a hernia operation.
“Chris wasn’t going to get a look in here if things had gone to plan,” Penney said.
“Obviously with the injuries that we have had, we need him back here now and if we could have fetched him back last month, we would have done so.
“But the terms of the loan state he has to stay there until January, so as soon as that time comes up he will be coming back.”
Should O’Grady return, it could effectively be as a replacement for on-loan Blackburn man Nick Blackman who has struggled to nail down a first-team place of late.
However, the situation could change if Rochdale were able to put in a suitable bid for O’Grady’s services.
The 23-year-old, signed for an undisclosed fee by John Sheridan in May 2008, was loaned out to Bury, Bradford City and Stockport County last season and is approaching the end of his current Athletic contract.
Having made 17 appearances for the club, including one this season, he has yet to find the net for Athletic.
ATHLETIC’S reserves are at home to Preston North End, at Stalybridge Celtic, tonight (7pm).
