O'Donnell delighted to get first-team action

Last updated : 18 March 2008 By Dave Moore

New keeper Richard O'Donnell was delighted to get some first team action, even though his new team lost 3-0 at Luton in his first appearance. The 19 year old, on loan from Sheffield Wednesday, put in a sterling second half display to deny the Hatters increasing their lead.

He told Latics World, "I trained with Sheffield Wednesday on Friday and got a message from goalkeeping coach Billy Mercer to go and see him afterwards. I didn't really have time to be nervous apart from in the team hotel on Friday night and Saturday morning. It was a funny one coming in so soon but I didn't think I did too badly considering I'd not trained with anyone and didn't know the lads as much as I'd have liked to. It was difficult getting a man sent off early but we came out and battled well in the second half and we'll try and take that into the next game. I made a couple of good saves in the second half and that gave me a confidence boost on what was my Football League debut. It was nice to come out of the game with something because obviously I wasn't pleased to concede three goals."

"It's possible I could be in goal on Saturday. I'll be speaking to the manager later in the week depending on how Mark Crossley is. Obviously from my point of view I'd love to be playing against Millwall, and I'd be more than happy to extend the loan spell. I'm delighted to be playing League One football because obviously I couldn't get first-team football at Sheffield Wednesday. Coming to Oldham and playing can only be good for me."

As O'Donnell was signed on an emergency loan agreement for seven days any extension will have to be agreed by both clubs.