Sunderland’s last-minute pursuit of Leeds United goalkeeper, Andy Lonergan is inching closer to being confirmed, according to Chronicle Live. Felix Wiedwald has taken over the number spot for the Whites and the Lonergan has been limited to the benches and a few cup appearances. The player that Leeds are interested in has not been revealed just yet.
Lonergan got his first start as a professional with his boyhood club, Preston North End, where spend 11 years, making 228 total appearances. After impressing for the senior side, Leeds United came calling in 2011. But after the arrival of Paddy Kenny, his first-team spot was lost and the 34-year-old was again sold off to Bolton Wanderers. After a couple of spells away to Fulham and Wolves, Lonergan made a return to Elland Road after Robert Green was released from his contract.
He has appeared in just one international game for Republic Of Ireland back in 2000 after featuring for the England U20 side. Even though his professional career might not feature at the international stage anymore, he might just be able to see out the rest of his career with Sunderland.
Sunderland could do with the experience of a long-term Championship goalkeeper now that they are stranded at the bottom of the Championship. All of Chris Coleman’s January targets have struck out in the end and the former Wales manager is desperate for quality talents ahead of the gruesome relegation battle.
However, do they really need a goalkeeper at the moment with Jason Steele and Robbin Ruiter already tied down to the club further than the next season? Steele has been quite decent in the limited minutes he has received but Ruiter has struggled with consistency. His lacklustre display against Cardiff City allowed the hosts to slot in the opening goal and was greatly criticised by Micky Gray.
He was quoted, “It was catastrophic mistakes, firstly from Ruiter. It can’t happen. He’s running around players, flapping his arm at it. This is an experienced goalkeeper. He’s making silly mistakes every week, that is why he can’t pick between two goalkeepers.”
Maybe Lonergan’s arrival will finally address the problems in between the sticks as Coleman tries to save their season by escaping the relegation zone.
