He said: “I think it’s always good in modern football that you can play in a number of positions.”
“Kevin last season has been very, very unlucky.
“He didn’t start the season but he worked his way into the team and played a number of games until he got injured and I have so much respect for Kevin - I’ve never seen a player that worked so hard to come back.
“He worked so hard, over the summer and in any age of a player, but especially when you’re hitting thirty, when you haven’t played for six months you need some time to come back.”
Uwe confirmed that 30-year-old O’Connor, who has played over 450 first team games since his debut in 2000, will continue to be club captain.
“We need Kevin O’Connor for a number of reasons; on the football field but also off the football field and Kevin will be the captain for this season, there is no question about it.”