AFTER sweet talking Blades chairman Kevin McCabe, Australian winger, David Carney, got his wish to join the Socceroos Olympics squad, at the risk of losing his championship starting place this season.
The versatile 23-year-old was the last of Australia's players to arrive for a pre-Olympics friendly against South Korea in Seoul because Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell included him in the Blades a pre-season tour including Hungary, Germany and Belgium.
"I was getting pressure from them (Sheffield United) to stay but I sat down with the chairman (Kevin McCabe) and convinced him I wanted to go and it (the Olympics) was a once in a lifetime (opportunity)," Carney said.
"I know I'll have a fight getting back in (to the first team) and the manager (Kevin Blackwell) told me so.
"But the Olympics is a one-off.
"I'm one of three over-age players and I'll never get another chance.
"(Coach) Arnie (Graham Arnold) asked me early if I would make myself available and I gave him my word I'd be there."
Carney believes the feel-good factor of an impressive Olympics campaign will rub-off onto his second championship season for the Blades, making it more difficult for Blackwell to leave him out.
While he has often been utilised as a make-shift wing-back for both the Socceroos and Sheffield United, Arnold plans to deploy Carney on the left-hand side of midfield in an attacking 4-3-3 formation at the Olympics.
"I am looking forward to an attacking role and I think it will suit me better," Carney said.
"I've come into the Olympic team to given them something (different).
"If we do beat Korea then we can go into the Olympics full of confidence."
Australia have drawn Serbia, defending champions Argentina and Ivory Coast in the Olympic Games.
CLICK ON THE GREEN PLAY ICON ABOVE TO SEE THE INTERVIEW WITH DAVID CARNEYIs David Carney right to put his Sheffield United place at risk to play for Australia in the Olympics? What do you think? Post your comments below. What chance have the Owls and Blades got when every new season brings new divisions of wealth: READ MARTIN SMITH ON SOCCER READ MORE Football headlinesMore BladesMore OwlsMore SpireitesMore RoversMore RedsMore MillersMore Ice HockeyMore rugby leagueMore rugby unionMore boxingSports columnistsAll sport categoriesThe full article contains 410 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
