Shocked Naylor Thanks Royle

Royle transformed Naylor from goal-getter to goal-stopper

Naylor, who was loaned out to Barnsley towards the end of George Burley's tenure at the club, found a new lease of life under Joe Royle, who converted him from a striker to a centre-back.

Speaking to the Evening Star, he said: “I was very surprised to hear the news. It has been a difficult season and we were looking to put that right next season and were expecting to do that with Joe.

“I found Joe to be a fantastic manger. He did wonders for me changing me from a rarely used forward to a centre-back who features regularly. I have nothing but praise for the way he conducts the way he handles players.”