Story by Kevin Luff - 30th March 2007
Martin Gray praises Dave Wheater ahead of exit
Dave Wheater will play his final game on loan for Darlington this weekend. Ahead of his departure assistant manager Martin Gray has praised the young defender saying that there is no reason why he can't play at the highest level. Wheater has already signed off in front of the home supporters but will now complete his final match in a black and white shirt at Underhill.
The Middlesbrough player has been on-loan at the Darlington Arena since the start of the January transfer window and has turned in a number of impressive performances. Wheater has started fourteen league games for Quakers and tasted defeat only once. Given that Darlington have lost six straight league games before his arrival his contribution is easy to see.
"He will be a massive loss, to any football club, not just Darlington," said Gray. "He has been absolutely fantastic in the way he has gone about his business. From day one he has got better and better. Him and Ian Miller formed a fantastic partnership. He was also a big handful and he will be a big miss but we've got to get on with that."
Quakers have already lost Ian Miller after the player was recalled back to Ipswich Town. Manager Dave Penney has added Mark Phillips on loan but his defensive options have been decreased with the news that Tim Ryan will be sidelined for around a month with a knee injury.
Wheater will return to the Riverside after the weekend and will more than likely resume reserve team duties for Boro. Given Darlington's decreased options at the back it will be make the departure of the twenty-year old even harder to take. Rules though dictate that Darlington can not extend the loan beyond the weekend. However Gray feels Wheater's stay with the club will have played a valuable part in his footballing education.
"I think if he applies himself right on a day to day basis then I think he can go on and play at the top level," said Gray. "I think he needed to come out and play at this level to realise what it is all about. I think it will make him a better player. I really do feel that if he looks after himself right and with everything he has got there is no reason for me that he can't go on and be a Premiership player."
