Exeter City FC

Dara O’Shea has extended his loan with Exeter City until the end of the season.

The defender, on loan to Exeter from West Bromich Albion, was initially only meant to be at St James Park until January, but having impressed in the centre of defence manager Matt Taylor was keen to keep him at the club until the end of the campaign. 

“Dara has been patient but he has had his opportunity given to him in terms of the first team and he has taken it,” said Matt.  

“He has been the strength that we have been looking for in terms of the backline. He is a wholehearted defender who wants to go and win the ball and credit to West Brom in terms of allowing us to extend the loan.  

“They know that he is in a good place in terms of his development. Dara has just got to concentrate on keeping his place in the team and continuing to improve. If he does that then he is going to go back to West Brom a really good player.”

Dara has made 16 appearances for the Grecians this season and also won the Checkatrade Trophy player of the round award for the group stages of the competition where he helped City keep clean sheets against Yeovil Town, West Ham United under-21 and Bristol Rovers.  

“We are happy to have him,” added Matt. “His character is a credit to West Brom and himself and I think he will improve a lot in the next few months. 

“There were several players who had to be patient. We started the season so well it was difficult to get some of the fringe players in but you have a little blip and then form and injuries play their part and players have got to be ready to take their opportunity and Dara has done that.  

“It was probably on the back of some of the lesser cup games before he actually got his league chance, but he has come in and done well. He is a young player and he will make mistakes at times, but we have got to really stick with him and keep working with him.”