GRIMSBY Town boss Neil Woods was delighted to solve his goalkeeping crisis by securing Sheffield Wednesday stopper Richard O'Donnell on a month-long loan.

The 21-year-old's switch to Cleethorpes was finalised just two hours before the transfer window closed at 6pm last night and he is all set to make his Town bow in Saturday's televised home game against Luton Town.

Woods spent yesterday on the phone in a bid to draft in back-up after being forced to bring goalkeeping coach Steve Croudson out of retirement to face Histon – almost nine years since his last Town outing.

With Kenny Arthur (hamstring) and Nick Colgan (elbow) not due back soon, Woods needed to make a move before the deadline.

And he agreed a deal in the nick of time with the man who faced Town in the Owls' pre-season defeat in Cleethorpes.

Woods said: "Everyone who has worked with Richard speaks very highly of him and we've done well to get a player of his calibre to come to our level.

"It wouldn't have been possible without Alan Irvine (Owls boss) and Sheffield Wednesday and we thank them for their help – it was a bit of a shock we were able to get Richard here."

The 6ft 2ins Sheffield-born keeper has been out on loan before – most notably at Rotherham and Oldham.

Ironically, O'Donnell made his Football League debut during his time at Boundary Park against Luton in March 2008 and is now set to face the Hatters in his first game for Town.

And while he is still young, Woods is confident he will prove a good addition after mixed results with younger keepers on loan last season in the shape of Tommy Forecast, Josh Lillis and Mark Oxley.

Woods added: "It was difficult for Tommy last season – he had to travel from a long distance.

"Richard will be able to stay at home and not uproot."

Wednesday boss Alan Irvine was also happy with the deal and told the Owls website: "I took a call on Tuesday afternoon and we agreed the move for Richard.

"This is a great opportunity for him to get some games under the belt and it is also the chance of some valuable experience.

"I wish him every success."