JOEY O'Brien had an idea he might get a game or two for Wanderers this season, when Sam Allardyce told Sheffield Wednesday manager, Paul Sturrock, to forget any idea of taking him to Hillsborough.

Little did he know that he would play six games in 18 days - in Europe, the Premiership and the Carling Cup - keeping his place while senior stars were rested.

And not only did he play every minute of those six games - the only member of the squad to do so - but he was also trusted to make the adjustment from his accustomed centre-midfield role to right-back in another of those Allardyce masterstrokes born out of necessity.

In Istanbul, where Gary Speed, Jay Jay Okocha and Stelios were missing, Wanderers needed someone to stifle the Besiktas midfield, since then they have needed someone to fill in for the injured Nicky Hunt.

To say that O'Brien has justified his selection in both positions is the understatement of the season.

So much for the doubts that were raised over his Reebok future when it was widely reported that he was set to join Sheffield Wednesday, having impressed during a 15-match loan stint.

Sturrock fancied his chances, but, when Allardyce refused, O'Brien realised he was onto something.

"When I heard that, I was delighted because I thought the gaffer would have me in his plans," said the 19-year-old Dubliner.

"Then I got a few sub appearances, but, playing these six games on the run has been great for me. Obviously I'm delighted.

"In fairness, the other lads have been playing all season, whereas I've just come in. They've played a lot more games than I have and, of course, I'm a lot younger."

But there is much more to O'Brien than fitness and youthful enthusiasm, as he has shown with the quality of his performances and his new-found versatility. Outstanding as the midfield "spoiler" in Besiktas, his defensive qualities have proved more than useful at right back, where his only previous experience was with the Republic of Ireland youth team

"I played a couple of games at full-back, when they were short," he said, "but I've always been a midfielder. I'm absolutely loving it there, I wouldn't have had many games in midfield, especially with us having so many top midfield players. And everybody's helping me - Radhi and Tal at the back and all the other lads, like Kevin Nolan and Speedo. They are making it easier for me .

"I've obviously got a lot to learn as a full-back but, hopefully I can keep doing well.

"I just want to make it difficult for the gaffer to drop me. My aim is to get as many appearances as I can, in the Premiership and in the cups."

Judging by the progress he has made, O'Brien will cause Allardyce selection headaches when everyone is fit and available - a far cry from a year ago when O'Brien's only senior appearance was as a late sub for Fernando Hierro in the Carling Cup win at Yeovil.

"Obviously, I was just delighted to get a game," he added. "I enjoyed my few minutes and the appearance against Everton in the Premiership in the last game of the season.

"But this season has been something else.

"And the Irish press is loving it because they've got a young player coming through the ranks at a level you wouldn't normally expect of young Irish players. I've got a lot of friends and family over there and they are all buzzing about it."