Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill has praised defender Matt Kilgallon for taking advantage of an injury crisis to stake a first team spot. The 28-year-old looked to be heading for the exit door at the Stadium of Light following the summer arrivals of John O'Shea and Wes Brown from Manchester United to add to a squad which already included Titus Bramble and Michael Turner.
O'Neill, said:
"He got the opportunity the other week when Wes Brown got injured. He went on to the field and he has acquitted himself very well so far in the games.
"I think he is just pleased to be involved at this minute where perhaps he didn't have involvement before.
"Now, that's fine. I have been at football clubs where players maybe didn't get the same sort of involvement before, and then suddenly it happens for them either with the manager there or with someone else in.
"It's the case with not just Matt himself, but with other players. If they feel as if the team has done well and they hadn't been a serious part of it, when they get that opportunity, they might as well give it everything they have got.
"I think that applies here." "I hadn't seen that very much of him, other than little bits in training, of course.
