Time soon up for O'Grady?

Last updated : 17 December 2004 By Richard Brown

Following the weekend of County’s trip to the Vetch, Notts County could well be a player short of an already diminished squad. Chris O’Grady, the Leicester City striker currently on loan at the ‘Lane, is due to return to the Walkers Stadium after completing his three-month loan spell here.

O’Grady, who arrived under Gary Mills’ before having his initial one-month spell extended to three by that very man, made his way through those famous gates almost three months ago now in a time when our strikers were under much scrutiny as to their lack of goal-scoring prowess. And although eyebrows were raised the early days of Chris’ loan looked promising – maybe there was space for him here?

The ball is in your court, Mr. Richardson.
However just days after, in a result that effectively push-started our none-too illustrious start to the season, O’Grady joined Glynn Hurst was on-fire for a hat trick at Rochdale. Cruel on the youngster, but great for morale.

From then on in, O’Grady’s place in the side has been subject to change right from the off really. Having only been able to claim a starting place in three of the club’s twelve league encounters since his arrival, whilst also managing six further appearances from the bench.

A player who came complete with England under-17 and under-18 caps, O’Grady – who’ll turn 19 next month – has seen his fortunes within the side in steady decline since arriving, thus NCM see it doubtful that Richardson will choose to keep him on for the remainder of the season, having used up the sanctioned three-month period.

Whilst the club would surely be able, financially, to keep O’Grady on the books here, from the rationalists viewpoint it would seem somewhat like extending his stay for the sake of doing so.

And, although the squad is still lessened through injury, illness and the like, it seems very much like the Nottingham-born striker could well be on his way out of the ‘Lane.

The emergence of Matty Williams, away recently on compassionate leave, and Shaun Harrad, practically frozen out the side through loan, suspension and lack of form, could also spell the end for the Leicester youngster as a Notts loanee.

Regardless of the future of Chris O’Grady, NCM thanks the young front man for his efforts so far as a Notts County player.