Bolton Wanderers midfielder Joey O'Brien wants loan move

by Pat McGatt. Published Tue 14 Sep 2010 12:00, Last updated: 2010-09-14

Bolton Wanderers midfielder Joey O’Brien reckons he needs a temporary move away from the Reebok to resurrect his career.

O’Brien has seen the last two years slip as he has recovered from a series of career-threatening injuries.

The 24-year-old is now fully-fit again and is now just desperate to play football and so give him a chance of battling for a regular spot at Wanderers.

O’Brien told Bolton News: “I’ve spoken to the manager and it’s an option – but it’s whether a club wants me or not. We’ll have to wait and see.

“I’ve not been involved in the first team at the moment and have been playing reserve-team football, so it’s a step up to be playing competitive football in the Championship.

“The last two years have been pretty grim but if someone had told me a year ago I would have to go out on loan to play football I would’ve snapped their hand off because it didn’t look like I’d ever play again.

“There have been some dark days. The first surgery wasn’t a success and, after the second one, they weren’t very optimistic about the outcome because I’d had a piece of my kneecap taken out.

“I’ve still got a long way to go but the only way I’m going to get there is by playing games.”