Doncaster Rovers assistant manager Richard O'Kelly hopes to extend Jay-Emmanuel Thomas' loan deal.
Assistant boss O'Kelly praises Gunners youngster
Doncaster Rovers assistant manager Richard O'Kelly hopes to extend Jay-Emmanuel Thomas' loan deal until the end of the season.
The teenage midfielder moved to the Keepmoat Stadium from Arsenal for one month in late February and has notched three goals so far for the club.
Rovers are currently 10th in the Championship table and could yet mount a push for the play-offs as the season draws to a close.
And assistant boss O'Kelly says any extension on his current deal would be a massive boost to the side.
"Originally his loan stay was just for a month, but there is an option there to extend that," he told
skysports.com.
"However, a lot depends on whether Arsenal want him back there or not really.
"The boy has enjoyed his spell here and settled in quickly.
"It is a lot more rural up her than the hustle and bustle of London, so it can take time to settle, but he has taken to it like a duck to water.
"We are pleased to have him and Arsenal were glad to send him here over a number of over clubs that were hoping to take him on loan.
"He is a cracking lad and has a great personality, which has slotted in well to what we already have here."
Reputation
Doncaster are building a reputation for an attacking, free-flowing brand of football that is similar to Arsenal's.
O'Kelly thanked the Gunners for allowing Thomas to move to South Yorkshire, and is also pleased with another loanee - Jordan Mutch from Birmingham.
"We would like to think that Arsenal's decision to send him here instead of other clubs shows how highly we are regarded by Premier League clubs," he added.
"We can't afford big wages, so if Premier League clubs want to develop their players at a lower level then we are happy to be used in the right way.
"Jordan Mutch has joined us from Birmingham City and although he hasn't featured as much as Jay-Emmanuel he is still a cracking lad to have around the place.
"So, both of those clubs are using what we have got here to give their youngsters a bit of experience and we would love to continue that in the future."
