IF anyone doubted Nicky Spooner's commitment since the collision with John Gayle threatened to end his career, they should take a look at his disciplinary record since his comeback in January.

In nine reserve games he has been booked in three and sent off in another!

That red card in the home defeat by Manchester United on March 29 put him out of the last two Pontins League games - once again denying him valuable match action.

But that blow has been cushioned by the knowledge that he will figure in the Wanderers' Premiership squad after being handed a new one-year contract.

There is no hiding the fact that clubs in these situations are motivated by a sense of duty and sentiment but there is much more to it than that in Spooner's case.

"Nicky deserves his contract, not only for coming back from the injury but also because I want to keep him." Colin Todd explained.

"In the five years I've been at the club I reckon he's played less than 50 games.

"But he's been undaunted by the injuries. It's taken a lot of time and a lot of patience for him to bounce back and there must have been times when he thought he might not make it.

"He's come through that and it's that determination that makes you want to see him succeed."

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