Darren O'Dea To Return To Celtic

Leeds United gaffer Neil Warnock today revealed that on-loan defender Darren O'Dea is not in his future plans and will return to parent club Celtic. The Republic of Ireland International has failed to earn himself a permanent transfer to Elland Road after making 42 appearances this season for the Whites scoring two goals in the process. O'Dea has been an integral part of what has ultimately been a failing Leeds United side and will not feature for the Elland Road club again.

The defender who wore the number 48 jersey for United was sent off during Leeds' trip to the seaside on Tuesday night and the dismissal was perhaps the final straw for O'Dea after Warnock explained to the official site:

"I'm disappointed not just in the sending off, but in the other suspension as well. I have decided we won't be signing him for next season. I've had a chat with him, and I'm going to let him have a break before he goes and plays in the European Championships in the summer. We thank him for what he's done but I do feel it's time to move on in that area. He's had good games and average ones, but one or two people have come into my reckoning now and hopefully we can tie those players up now over the next few months."

Recently I asked the question if O'Dea was good enough to stay with the Whites for a promotion push next season. The results from the poll suggested that those who voted wanted the Irishman to stay with 56% saying he was a good defender while 44% felt O'Dea wasn't good enough to be retained. It was my opinion that O'Dea was an okay defender but I questioned whether he was good enough to a part of a side which is aiming to win promotion. That is still my belief and I think this will be a good decision from Warnock as he continues to clear out players that he doesn't want in his squad. O'Dea becomes the third player that the former QPR boss has allowed to leave so far and joins Ben Parker and Mika Vayrynen out of the exit doors at Thorp Arch. Warnock's decision to let O'Dea go will further fuel speculation that his first summer signing is going to be a central defender, more specifically Jason Pearce from Portsmouth. Only time will tell.

Thanks for your efforts Darren, all the best for the future and good luck in the European Championships this summer.