Bolton Wanderers remain the favourites to sign Leeds keeper Andy Lonergan, despite late interest from the Blues and Sheffield Wednesday, according to reports this morning. The 28-year-old former Preston man, previously a Town target during Jim Magilton’s time as manager, was said to be the subject of Town interest at the end of last week.

Bolton have long been seen as the frontrunners for Lonergan’s signature and are understood to have had a bid turned down by the Whites earlier this month. The Elland Road club are believed to want £200,000 for the keeper, who has two years left on his contract.

Meanwhile, the Town squad arrived at their hotel near Eindhoven yesterday for their training camp, which runs until Friday.

The Blues play friendlies against Helmond Sport at their Stadion De Braak on Tuesday (KO 7pm local time) and Den Bosch at their 3,500-capacity Trainingscomplex, which is in Jan Sluytersstraat, on Thursday (KO 7pm local time).

Prior to the Helmond Sport match, a team of Town fans plus Blues legend Frans Thijssen, assembled by Spirit of 78, are facing a Helmond supporters XI in a game which will also be played at the Eerste Divisie club’s main stadium (KO 4pm). TWTD will be in Holland on the tour with Phil playing in the fans’ game.

Squad: Ainsley, Bullard, Carson, Chambers, Chopra, Cresswell, Delaney, Drury, Edwards, Emmanuel-Thomas, Hewitt, Hyam, Lawrence, Lee-Barrett, Martin, Murray, Scotland, Stevenson, Whight.

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

billlm added 20:25 - Jul 16 nothing new then from you phil for 2 days are you away again thought journalists never slept lol
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Ipswichbusiness added 21:04 - Jul 16 Only a few weeks ago I was being accused of being boring for banging on about the goalkeeping position; I claim no great insight, just that ALB and a couple of unproven foreigners is not a recipe for a successful season. In an effort at being constructive, what we need is an experienced 'keeper with a good track record who can organise a young defence. Brad Friedel anyone? If not, are there better suggestions out there?

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Talbs77 added 21:06 - Jul 16 Blimey have they let the children sign onto this website? I think Lonergan is a very good goalie, certainly from what I remember when he was at Preston. We need this sorted though as ALB just isnt good enough.
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manualthetisfanclub added 21:06 - Jul 16 yawn yawn yawn yawn yawn next please phil!
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Mark added 21:24 - Jul 16 I agree it seems crazy to go to Holland with only one goalkeeper, and I am worried about the situation. A couple of weeks ago I was worried about centre back too however, but we did get Chambers so it was right to be patient there. I suspect a new signing is being worked on, and when we get him we might look back and think we were glad we didn't sign some of the players linked. I have faith in Jewell to sort something out, and not repeat last season's situation of a goalkeeper with a recall clause which kept us on edge all the time until he was actually recalled. A permanent number one please, but the right number one.

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Ipswichbusiness added 21:30 - Jul 16 I have had a look at the PFA website. Apparently, both Manuel Almunia (ex-Arsenal) and David James (ex-everywhere) are out of contract. Neither would be my first choice, but are better than going into the season with just ALB (no disrespect to him just I wouldn't want him to be the only 'keeper for a whole season).
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AndyUK61873 added 21:32 - Jul 16 ALB must be loving this, he goes from being dropped and surplus at Hatrlepool to back-up here in 2009 when Supple "retired" to now being the 1st string keeper.......and he is not that good at all. As stated before I am comfortable with the rest of the team, just want some more depth, but if our keeper can't catch a cross or just looks lost we could have the best back 4 in the world, it still would not matter we would concede goals. Honestly I don't have an answer, no names out there are making me excited about the future at this position.

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flouncemaker added 21:32 - Jul 16 bluey420 I was pleased you were right about chambers but I am very worried about the lack of keepers.If Davies is the transfer involving a fee of any amount and we have let six players go since the end of the season and signed just two, with Peters and Ellington free to leave, it cannot be a wages issue because there is plenty of scope, even allowing for Chambers earning a decent wage. Any ideas who it might be as I am really struggling beyond Stockdale.

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Talbs77 added 21:33 - Jul 16 I agree with you Mark, I think pj has been vey schrewed this summer in the transfer market buying young players that are hopefully hungry and ambitous with a long term future at the club and I see no reason why the same cant apply to buying a goalie. I also agree there is absolutely no point getting a goalie on loan, we need a premanent, steady No 1 not someone here for just a season or 6 months. But ALB is not the answer.

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h32 added 21:44 - Jul 16 BillBlue - shame yours didn't teach you something.
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h32 added 21:48 - Jul 16 Bobblehat - it kills the pain of what's going on at Portman Road - you should try it !
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h32 added 21:54 - Jul 16 ....... may as well act as stupid as the rest - Jimmy Bullard as No2
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h32 added 21:55 - Jul 16 .... Goalkeeper, of course.
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raycrawfordswig added 10:37 - Jul 17 Had medical at Bolton going to be bench warmer
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simonsays added 13:04 - Jul 17 Jewell has decided to employ a 4-5-2 and dispense with the services of any keppers!
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s6blue added 19:19 - Jul 17 woop
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h32 added 20:04 - Jul 17 simonsays - .... that would not surprise me ... in fact NOTHING would with him.
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