Oster says yes to Deal

Oster's 'yes' to new deal


Published Date: 28 May 2010
By Steve Hossack
Doncaster Rovers
DONCASTER Rovers expect midfielder John Oster to put pen to paper on a new deal any day now.
Terms have been agreed with the 31 year-old, who was arguablythe club's best player in the second half of last season, and the club said yesterday that just minor matters remain to be resolved.

Keeping hold of Oster was one of manager Sean O'Driscoll's top priorities and, after losing out on left-back Gareth Roberts - also out of contract - and missing out on centre-backs Jason Shackell and Elliott Ward he will be relieved to see the deal finalised.

With Ward, who spent a month on loan at the Keepmoat Stadium last season, having elected to join promoted Norwich in midweek, O'Driscoll will now look elsewhere.

Rovers, meanwhile, have been installed as joint favourites with Kilmarnock, for the pre-season Joma South West Challenge Cup being contested in North Devon the third week in July,

Shrewsbury and Leyton Orient are expected to be the other two seeded sides when the draw for the four three-team groups is made on June 14.

The four group winners will meet the semi-finals on Thursday, July 23, with the final scheduled for the Saturday.

Rovers will be based in a hotel in the Barnstaple area during the duration of the invitation tournament which will also feature part-time teams.

"We are looking forward to the competition and naturally we hope to do well," said Rovers No 2 Richard O'Kelly.

"We got an invite and we went down to have a look at the facilities and it is absolutely beautiful part of the world.

"All the things that you want at a pre-season tournament are there.

"The idea, as always, during pre-season is to make sure that we hit the ground running on the opening day of the season and we feel being down there will help us achieve that aim."