HE’S been the scourge of strikers for over two decades – and Richard Wood doesn’t plan on stopping yet.
The veteran defender has signed a new one-year deal at Doncaster Rovers just weeks after fearing he might be surplus to requirements.
Following a summer move from Championship neighbours Rotherham, Wood had made just seven League Two outings prior to the start of February after a couple of calf injuries had kept him sidelined for two months at a time.
When he was recalled following a 5-1 home defeat to Stockport – the club’s sixth loss in eight contests – the omens for both player and club did not look particularly encouraging.
But Wood, who turns 39 in July, had missed just eight minutes of Rovers’ last ten games going into Easter, with the club having taken 21 points from a possible 30 to extinguish all fears of relegation.
Manager Grant McCann subsequently acted swiftly to extend Wood’s career into a 23rd season, but the ex-Sheffield Wednesday centre-back confessed: “I wouldn’t have expected this contract a couple of months ago, especially when I got injured again after just a few games back.
“I knew people were questioning me but the disappointment of not being able to show people what I can do after coming in as captain from Rotherham gave me added motivation and I’m glad I got another opportunity to do that.
“It’s been a bit surprising how well it’s gone because, over the last few years, I’ve tendedd not to play three games in a week but I’ve been doing that. I’ve just been pleased my body’s felt alright and perfor mances and results have been good - it definitely helps when you’re winning!
“I didn’t expect results to go this well after coming back in but, at the same time, when I signed in the summer, I knew we had a squad that could do well in this league.
“I don’t like to make excuses, but injuries have been a factor and maybe it’s taken longer for players to gel together and understand what the manager wants.”
Wood was expected to make his 650th senior appearance at Crawley on Good Friday and, as always, has already set his next benchmark, adding that performing for his two biggest fans also gives him an incentive to carry on playing.
