O'Kelly backs Woods to grow

05 April 2011 13:00
Doncaster assistant manager Richard O'Kelly believes the club have unearthed a worthy successor to veteran keeper Neil Sullivan from within their own ranks in Gary Woods. Sullivan, 41, has been Rovers' first-choice since joining from Leeds in 2007, but now faces a battle to dislodge a player half his age when fully fit again. The south Yorkshire club displayed their faith in Woods by offering the 20-year-old a new two-year contract last week. O'Kelly told The Star: "I think Neil Sullivan's influence is certainly rubbing off on him. There are shades of Sully in his demeanour, in how calm he is under pressure and the way he deals with situations. "He looks very assured for someone of his age and experience and long may it continue. He fills me with great confidence. "He knows what he is doing - his understanding of the game is coming on in leaps and bounds - and the rest of the players also seem to have confidence in him."

Source: PA