Udoji learning from defensive partner

Stafford Rangers defender Manny Udoji believes that his partnership with Craig McAughtrie at the back will make him a better player as the season wares on.

The two have been paired at centre-half for the last three games, the fourth player to line-up alongside Udoji since the teenager joined the club from the Glenn Hoddle academy in September.

Former captain Bobby Wilson, ex-loan star Jermaine Johnson and Curtley Williams have all moved on since then, leaving McAughtrie to fill the breach after returning to the club from Eastwood.

It was a popular move by manager Chris Brindley, bringing back a fan favourite who played over 200 games in his first spell at Marston Road from 2002 to 2007.

And it looks like the new partnership has been built to last, as the 28-year-old will spend the rest of the season on loan from their Blue Square North rivals with his contract at Coronation Park set to expire in the summer.

Udoji, just 21, is looking forward to further learning curves from his more experienced partner.

He said: "It's great that Craig has come back and the fans love him. He's solid, the players have gelled to him and he's putting his faith in us like we put our faith in him. We are comfortable at the back now, and that breeds confidence to the lads in front of us.

"I am learning a lot playing alongside him every week, just seeing the way he attacks the ball and the way he handles different situations will rub off on me."

Rangers have took a one-goal win, a defeat and a draw since the two were paired at the back, further building on a return of 10 points from the last 15 on offer.

It's a run that has lifted the club 12 points clear of the relegation places, and Udoji believes the young players at Marston Road are starting to come of age.

He said: "We are starting to get the ball down and show that we can play, so the teams that are trying to bully us are getting run off the pitch because we are youngsters."