Richard O'Donnell talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
Rotherham United stopper Richard O’Donnell insists he is keen to showcase his worth on his return from injury as he sets sights on cementing a regular place between the sticks at AESSEAL New York Stadium.The Millers have been riddled with bad luck with injuries in the goalkeeping department this season with Lee Camp sidelined for a large percentage of the present campaign, while injuries to Lewis Price and former Bristol City stopper O’Donnell have meant that Paul Warne has lacked competition for places in goal.
However, with the 28-year-old now back at full fitness, he admits that he is relishing the opportunity to fight tooth and nail with Price to establish himself as the club’s number one.
"First and foremost my aim is to get back into the side this season, and then going into next season I want to play as many games as I can and establish myself here,” O’Donnell told the official matchday programme.
"It is nice to be back up north, being around family and we have just had another baby so it is perfect for me. I am in the process of buying a house now, so when that is all done it will be great and I am really looking forward to the future on and off the field.
“It is a chance for me to get a full pre-season under my belt, keep working hard with Polly (Mike Pollitt) and then go from there. The competition will be good again next season, we both know that we'll need to be right for every game.
The former Walsall goalkeeper can call upon positive experiences in the third tier with both the Bescot Stadium-club and previous employers Wigan Athletic, the latter of whom he achieved promotion with, and is under no illusion that the Millers can make a return to the Sky Bet Championship sooner rather than later.
"I was part of the squad that earned promotion, and it was nice to have a run in the [Wigan] side during the early part of that season,” O’Donnell explained.
"When I signed here, and with the situation that we were in, I knew that there was a possibility that we could go down to League One. As a result, and with being away from the side over recent games, I have got my head around the situation and I am determined to help get the club back again.
“Everyone wants to be playing in The Championship, but we need players with that determination to go and play in League One and be up for the fight. I think the lads here have that, and with some additions we think we can be a force again."