David Healy's next move

David Healy’s hopes of a permanent switch to Doncaster Rovers are hanging in the balance — and there is nothing that Northern Ireland’s record goalscorer can do about that.

The Killyleagh man has impressed at Doncaster during his loan spell from Sunderland, but it is a third club that is threatening to throw a spanner into the works.

Rovers have reluctantly given their manager Sean O’Driscoll permission to speak to Sheffield United about their current managerial vacancy — after Gary Speed quit last week to take over as national boss of Wales.

And if O’Driscoll leaves the Keepmoat Stadium to take charge of the Blades, then that will kill-off any chance of a deal being done to take Healy to Yorkshire.

And that will leave Healy in limbo as far as his international career is concerned, as well.

Playing for Northern Ireland is close to Healy’s heart. His 35 goals in 84 appearances for his country is more than twice as many as any other Northern Ireland player has ever managed, but he is no longer an automatic choice in the team.

Last month manager Nigel Worthington became the first Northern Ireland boss to drop Healy from a squad, when the 31-year-old was overlooked for the Windsor Park friendly with Morocco with his lack of action at Sunderland deemed the reason behind the move.

Ironically less than 48 hours before the squad was announced, Healy — who had already been informed of the decision — scored on his debut for Doncaster against Millwall and he has scored twice in six games for the Championship outfit.

Healy desperately wants to regain his place in the international squad for February’s opening Carling Nations Cup clash with Scotland in Dublin, but that may well hinge on getting out of Sunderland next month.

O’Driscoll has been impressed with Healy since he joined temporarily, having found himself completely frozen out of the first-team picture at the Stadium of Light.

Indeed the initial loan expired at the beginning of this month, with O’Driscoll negotiating an extension of the deal, which will now run until January 4.

The good news for Healy is that Doncaster chief executive David Morris remains confident O'Driscoll will opt to stay with the club.

“I think there's a good chance Sean will remain at Doncaster Rovers,” said Morris.

“I'm sure Sheffield United fans and management would call that wishful thinking, but Sean is a big part of what we're trying to build here. He's proud of what we have achieved and we're hopeful he'll want to carry it on.

“There's a lot more to achieve here and I agree with the chairman that Blades fans would not necessarily be prepared to give Sean the time he’s had here.”



Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/local/david-healyrsquos-next-move-is-a-doubleedged-blade-15036431.html#ixzz18pijbaaT

There's a lot hanging on this SO'D /Blunts scenario, we really could have done without all of this ................damn the Blunts !
They are getting in the way of a very interesting season, 4 points outside of the P/Offs and these toerags get in the way.

His he really what we need at the minuite , with Billy and Hayter on form, how would we keep him happy sat on the bench , good quality defenders are what we need at the moment...

yorkie64red wrote:His he really what we need at the minuite , with Billy and Hayter on form, how would we keep him happy sat on the bench , good quality defenders are what we need at the moment...

One injury/suspension and we would be lost especially with the games coming think and fast.