Bolton 2-2 Leeds United

Goals either side of half-time earned Leeds United a valuable point away at Bolton Wanderers. Neil Warnock’s men were trailing to an early Kevin Davies header before Sam Byram equalised just before half-time and Luciano Becchio netted a penalty five minutes into the second half after Byram had been brought down according to referee Phil Dowd. But United’s hopes of a second away win in three days were dashed 11 minutes from time when former England international Davies was on target with another header. Leeds made one change to the team that had won 3-2 at Bristol City on Saturday, Adam Drury returning at left-back. As a result Lee Peltier was moved to his favoured right-back position with Byram preferred to Aidan White on the right flank. It was Bolton that made most of the running in the first half and went ahead on 14 minutes when Davies, always dangerous in the air, headed home from a corner. It could have been two soon after as keeper Paddy Kenny saved well to deny Keith Andrews then Chris Eagles hit the post with a fierce shot from outside the box. Benik Afobe had another chance for the hosts only to see his shot over the advancing Kenny also go wide. United finally got a decent effort in on the home goal as Byram curled a shot just wide and they levelled to have a somewhat fortunate 1-1 half-time score when a minute before the break Byram met El-Hadji Diouf’s free-kick and his flick sent the ball beyond keeper Adam Bogdan. United made a flying start to the second half as Byram burst into the box and was brought down by Matt Mills. Referee Dowd pointed to the spot and up stepped Becchio to fire home his eighth goal of the season. Bolton looked to hit back as Kenny saved from Andrews and Zat Knight headed a free-kick wide, but Leeds were also a bigger threat than in the opening half as they got in several crosses that needed to be defended well and Rodolph Austin hit a free-kick wide. But on 79 minutes the hosts came up with an equaliser when a corner was once again headed home by Davies. United could have snatched a dramatic winner, however, in the third minute of injury-time as Diouf found space just inside the box and was unlucky to see a shot hit the woodwork.

Bolton sign Lonergan

{EAV:c1bd42a8c22c5c17}    Bolton have completed the signing of Leeds United goalkeeper Andy Lonergan on a three-year deal.
The 28-year-old keeper had been first choice at Leeds United last season but found his place under threat when Elland Road boss Neil Warnock brought in Paddy Kenny from QPR this summer.That alerted Owen Coyle, who had been a big admirer of Lonergan from his days in the Championship with Burnley when the keeper - then at Preston - was being courted by a number of Premier League clubs, including Everton.Bolton are believed to have paid £200,000 for his services, beating off late competition from the likes of Ipswich Town and Sheffield Wednesday.Speaking to the club, Lonergan was pleased to be on board.“You look at the quality of player in that changing room,” he said. “It’s a cliche and the same old thing but the stadium and everything about the club, it’s fantastic.”

Paul Robinson set for Leeds Loan Move?

Bolton defender Paul Robinson could be set for a loan move to Leeds United after falling out of favour at the Reebok Stadium.Robinson has been pushed out of the first-team picture after some below par performances and with Marcos Alonso set to return to fitness and challenge Sam Ricketts for the left-back spot, Owen Coyle is happy to loan him out.New Leeds boss Neil Warnock is keen to bolster his defence as the Yorkshire outfit push for the play-offs and Robinson is said to be on his list of possible targets.Robinson looks certain to leave the Reebok in the summer no matter which division the Trotters find themselves in and a loan move to Elland Road could give him an excellent opportunity to earn a permanent deal.Coyle has already loaned out Sean Davis to Bristol City, while there is every chance striker Robbie Blake could also be on the move if Birmingham firm up their interest.

Blackburn and Bolton Battling to Land Howson

Blackburn boss Steve Kean and Bolton manager Owen Coyle are battling to land Leeds United skipper Jonny Howson.And the East Lancashire neighbours will try to snap up the restless Elland Road midfielder in the January transfer window.Howson, 23, is in the final year of his contract with the Yorkshire outfit and is stalling on the Championship club’s offer of a new deal.Former England Under-21 international Howson, who has played 214 times for Leeds since making his debut in a Carling Cup clash against Barnet five years ago, has made no secret of his desire to play in the top flight.Coyle and Kean are both anxious to grant him his wish as they look to strengthen squads which are currently in the thick of a relegation dogfight.Under-fire Kean has made regular checks on Howson since the start of the season, but Coyle is a long-term admirer of the Leeds-born playmaker who was instrumental in Simon Grayson’s side’s 3-0 win at Doncaster on Friday night.Coyle inquired about Howson’s availability in the August transfer window. But he was told by Leeds that they were not interested in selling their current longest- serving player.But, if contract talks break down completely, United may decide to cash in on Howson during the January transfer window rather than lose him for nothing when his current arrangement with the Elland Road club expires.

Blackburn and Bolton Eye Howson

Leeds United are hoping that club captain Jonny Howson will accept a new contract at the club, despite the midfielder so far refusing to accept a new deal.Leeds had opened discussions during the summer, but Howson is yet to give the club an answer as he considers his options. The 23-year-old's current deal runs out in the summer and should the midfielder decide not to sign a new deal then he will be available on a free transfer at the end of the season. Leeds boss Simon Grayson is still confident that Howson will sign a new deal and extend his stay with the club he joined when he was just nine years old. "Discussions have been ongoing since the August transfer window shut," revealed Elland Road chief executive Shaun Harvey. "We have made an offer to Jonny and we are waiting for a response."Leeds just missed out on the play-off's last season and will be hoping they can finish in the top six this year, despite a difficult summer in which they lost one of their most influential players, Max Gradel. A number of Premier League clubs, including Bolton and Blackburn, are said to be monitoring the situation at Leeds as they attempt to land the former England Under-21 international.