Andy Lonergan set to get extended starting run

On Tuesday night against Blackburn rovers, Andy Lonergan showed exactly why Bolton Wanderers signed him in the summer. He's not a world-beating young goalkeeper but he is very strong at the back, quick on his feet, has good hands, and can (mostly) read the game. He started the match on Tuesday thanks to Adam Bogdan's injury and now that same ailment will allow Lonergan to have an extended starting run for Bolton Wanderers.

Lonergan did well to keep a midweek clean sheet for Bolton. A number of good saves, most notably a one-on-one stop, kept the Trotters in it and eventually allowed them to win it at the death. A couple of the stops were... questionable as a mistake from the goalkeeper in the first place forced him to make a good save (most notably, a looping header from Jordan Rhodes in the second half where Lonergan was too far off his line. Despite all that, Bolton ended the match without a goal conceded and a fourth win on the bounce.

Ahead of tomorrow's match against Brighton & Hove Albion, Dougie Freedman has confirmed that it will be Lonergan in net for the next few weeks as Adam Bogdan will miss out with injury. Prior to the Blackburn match, Bogdan had been carrying a groin injury that was aggravated late on in the Barnsley match. Speaking at today's prematch presser, the manager said that it will keep Bogdan out for a little while:

Freedman: "Adam Bogdan will be out for around two to three weeks. He's got a slight groin strain." #BWFC

— Official BWFC (@OfficialBWFC) March 8, 2013

Realistically, Bolton fans can expect the former Leeds keeper to start away at Ipswich Town next week. The international break following that match comes at a good time for Bogdan though, who should be able to get fit before the game away to Charlton on the 30th.