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.”

Match Report Cardiff 1-1 Leeds

Luciano Becchio's second-half equaliser ensured Cardiff's hopes of making the npower Championship play-offs for a third successive season will go down to the wire.Leeds striker Becchio headed home his 11th goal of the season in the 73rd minute to cancel out Joe Mason's opener for Cardiff just before half-time and leave the Welsh side with a solitary point from their final home game of the season.Cardiff were unchanged from the side that beat Derby on Tuesday night, while Alex Bruce, Zac Thompson and Becchio returned for Leeds.
Bluebirds midfielder Liam Lawrence had an early effort saved by Leeds goalkeeper Andy Lonergan, and at the other end Ross McCormack headed wide against his former club after good work from Robert Snodgrass.Mason skewed his close-range effort off target as Cardiff sought an early breakthrough, but neither side created a further chance before Leeds defender Leigh Bromby was stretchered off in the 32nd minute.Bromby, who appeared to slip awkwardly unopposed and required immediate medical attention, was replaced by Paul Connolly.

That setback appeared to distract the visitors and Cardiff caught them napping to take the lead four minutes before the break, when Mason raced on to Peter Whittingham's raking pass from inside his own half and held his nerve to lob the ball over the advancing Lonergan from inside the penalty area.City striker Kenny Miller was then denied in fine style by Lonergan, who kept out the Scot's angled 18-yard drive as Cardiff threatened to increase their lead in time added on at the end of the first half.

Leeds began the second half with renewed purpose. Thompson's fierce shot was blocked by Cardiff defender Ben Turner and Becchio headed wide from 12 yards soon after.Leeds boss Neil Warnock sent on Ramon Nunez and Danny Webber for McCormack and Adam Clayton respectively just before the hour-mark and the visitors then went close when Danny Pugh's 20-yard effort flew wide.The visitors continued to give as good as they got, but Lonergan was forced into another excellent save in the 70th minute when keeping out Andrew Taylor's goalbound volley.

Leeds then dealt Cardiff's play-off hopes a blow with the equaliser three minutes later. Substitute Connolly swung over a fine cross from the right and Becchio rose above the home defence to head beyond Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall into the bottom corner.

Cardiff substitute Filip Kiss fired wide from the edge of the area and Whittingham failed to keep his 87th-minute free-kick on target as Leeds held on for a deserved point.

Match Report Blackpool 1-0 Leeds

Angel Martinez’s first goal for Blackpool handed Ian Holloway’s side a significant victory in their pursuit of a Championship play-off place as Leeds’ disappointing season continued to fizzle out.The former Espanyol midfielder pounced on a loose ball ten minutes from time to sink a spirited Leeds side that finished a man down after Darren O’Dea earned a second yellow card.Wing duo Matt Phillips and Tom Ince had Blackpool on the front foot during the first half, but Leeds were a threat from set plays and on the counter attack.Robert Snodgrass and Luciano Becchio went close as Neil Warnock’s side grew into the game after the interval, but Martinez sent the majority of a sell-out crowd home happy.Middlesbrough’s 0-0 draw with relegated Doncaster means Blackpool are four points ahead of the seventh-place side going into the final two games of the season.Lomana LuaLua - who bagged a brace in a 5-0 victory over Leeds at Elland Road in November - came into the Blackpool line-up in place of the ill Stephen Dobbie, while left-back Bob Harris dropped to the bench to accommodate Stephen Crainey.

Leeds boss Neil Warnock went with the line-up that finished Saturday’s 4-1 win over Peterborough, meaning Paul Robinson and Danny Webber started in place of full-back Charlie Taylor and injured winger Robbie Rogers.O’Dea headed over from Robinson’s cross when unmarked after Blackpool failed to clear a Leeds corner, but the hosts made most of the early running.

In the 10th minute, Bloomfield Road burst into song and applause to commemorate the 10th anniversary of former manager Billy Ayre’s death, and Phillips almost provided a fitting tribute by darting in from the left and clipping a shot into the side netting.

Ince then effortlessly spun Robinson on halfway before surging towards the area and planting a shot over, and then visiting goalkeeper Andy Lonergan rushed from his goal to thwart Gary Taylor-Fletcher.Shortly before the half hour, Ince collected a return pass from LuaLua and bundled through a clutch of challenges on the edge of the Leeds area to draw a fine save from Lonergan.

The game flowed engagingly from end to end as half-time approached and after Phillips nodded beyond the bar from Taylor-Fletcher’s header across goal, Leeds' top scorer Ross McCormack had a penalty claim waved away after he appeared to get the better of Crainey.

In the 44th minute Lonergan saved from LuaLua’s free-kick after a meaty challenge from O’Dea on Taylor-Fletcher earned the Leeds defender a booking.A counter-attack was launched moments later and Webber cut in from the left to draw a sharp near-post stop from Matt Gilks.

Some controlled possession from Leeds at the start of the second period failed to yield any clear cut chances and Lonergan was back in action after the hour, palming a LuaLua effort behind following some clever footwork from Ince.

It was a relatively isolated moment of encouragement for the Seasiders, who were becoming increasingly ragged, and Snodgrass had Gilks at full stretch from a 67th minute free kick before Becchio - on for the injured Billy Paynter - headed over from Adam Clayton’s searching cross.

Blackpool substitute Nouha Dicko had Lonergan at full stretch in the 78th minute and he was soon involved in the winning goal.

The on-loan Wigan forward engineered space on the right to cross towards Ince and, when his team-mate failed to get the ball under control, Martinez was on hand to stab home.Webber headed off target as Leeds sought an immediate response, but their quest for a point was compromised when O’Dea sent Dicko sprawling.

Paynter puts gloss on Leeds win

Goal-shy striker Billy Paynter finally found his scoring boots to help Leeds to a crushing come-from-behind win over Peterborough that earned Neil Warnock his first home victory as manager.The 27-year-old, signed from Swindon two years ago, had managed just one goal for the club prior to this afternoon and, when he was announced as one of five changes made by Warnock following defeat to Derby on Monday, his name was greeted with sarcastic cheers from fans who had grown tired of waiting for him to prove his worth.He answered them though, scoring twice as Warnock's men replied to Joe Newell's opener in some style, with Ross McCormack also grabbing a brace to take his tally for the season to 19.Paynter's first and McCormack's double came in a chaotic 180-second burst either side of the interval and killed off a Posh side who are still not mathematically safe from relegation and require a point to survive.It was Paynter's day, however, and after being handed a rare start ahead of Luciano Becchio, he set about proving to Warnock that he wants to remain in a squad that the veteran boss has repeatedly stated since his February arrival needs major surgery.He had a first-minute one-on-one saved and then had a second-minute header cleared off the line, while Robert Snodgrass was also denied under the bar as Leeds looked to have heeded Warnock's post-Derby warning that one of his sides would never play so badly again.That quickly looked likely to be a false statement, though, as Posh got on top.George Boyd missed two presentable chances, one after Andy Lonergan came for and missed a cross, the other after teenage defender Charlie Taylor slipped and lost possession.Leigh Bromby's deflected header then clipped Peterborough's bar, but Leeds looked shaky at the back and, after another Taylor error, the visitors took the lead when Newell robbed him of possession in the 37th minute and tucked under Lonergan from an acute angle.Boyd should have made it two seconds later but could not adjust his feet after the home keeper shelled Paul Taylor's shot, meaning that when Paynter scored from a yard in first-half injury time after Paul Jones dropped a Snodgrass shot, it brought Leeds level rather than giving them a lifeline.If Peterborough were stunned by the goal then they were even more shellshocked after the break as McCormack's quickfire double put them out of sight.First, his weak back-post volley after a Paynter flick somehow bobbled over the top of Jones and then, as Peterborough poured forward, Snodgrass, Danny Webber and Adam Clayton picked them apart to give the Scot a two-yard tap-in.

The game was over as a contest now and Leeds probed for chances seemingly at will, with Paynter taking one with 17 minutes left.

Tom Lees' cross found its way to him at the back post and his clinical 12-yard finish belied a man who only 40 minutes previous had scored his maiden home goal for the club.

He could and should have had a hat-trick after that, blazing wide when played in by Webber, before Warnock afforded him a standing ovation when he withdrew him with seconds remaining.

Leeds 0-2 Derby-Match Report

Neil Warnock welcomed Paul Connolly, Darren O'Dea and Ramon Nunez into his starting line-up for the second game of the Easter weekend.While the club's Play-Offs had all been extinguished, the new boss was challenging his players to prove their worth for next season and was also demanding a positive finish to the home campaign.Warnock was still searching for his first win at Elland Road since officially taking over, and after one early header over the top, Tom Lees did well to shut out Nathan Tyson.United's first serious raid came to an end with a penalty appeal when Ramon Nunez appeared to be bundled to the ground while looking to advance inside the box.At the other end, Andy Lonergan had to punch away one inswinging delivery while Tyson sent another header wide of the park.There was little to excite the fans during the opening 25 minutes, but Leeds were once again reduced to 10 men when Michael Brown was dismissed for a high foot.United almost immediately carved out another chance and Darren O'Dea went close with a header from a free-kick.But it was the visitors who took the lead on minutes when Craig Bryson found the space to get in a clean strike on goal which beat Lonergan.Leeds looked to get back on terms and McCormack went close, but Derby also tested the home defence once again before the break.The second half started at a frenetic pace, but Derby again looked the more threatening and United had more defending to do.
There had been an edge to the game throughout and tempers flared after Connolly was booked for a challenge on the hour.Derby keeper Frank Fielding was called into action for the first time on 63 minutes when he had to get down well to scramble away a shot from Nunez.But it was Derby who scored a second when Steven Davies capitalised on a loose ball after a good block by O'Dea and was able to stroke the ball home.With 20 minutes remaining, Warnock made his first change, introducing Billy Paynter in place of Becchio.But as the game headed into the final 10 minutes, United made little in terms of headway and match appeared to be slowly petering out into a routine away win.Substitute Danny Webber had an opportunity with six minutes remaining, but his shot was wide of the mark.Derby substitute Jamie Ward also had a chance at the other end, but he was denied by Lonergan after a clinical break by the visitors.
The visitors also had a couple of near misses in stoppage time, but it mattered little as they collected a 2-0 victory to move above Leeds.

Hull 0-0 Leeds

Andy Lonergan seized the opportunity to make the right impression on Neil Warnock, but it was scarcely enough to put a smile on the face of the new Leeds manager at the KC Stadium.After a goalless draw at Portsmouth and home defeat by Southampton, Warnock was looking for a positive impact from players further up the field after outlining the requirements for a late tilt at a play-off place.Instead, with his front players misfiring for much of the night, it was left to Lonergan to keep Leeds in contention with a string of spectacular saves.It was meant to be the start of a three-match winning run that would launch Leeds into the thick of the promotion battle, but no-one would have guessed from the way Hull tore into Warnock’s team in a one-sided first half.Leeds’ manager had boldly declared that maximum points against Hull, Middlesbrough and West Ham were essential for reigniting a promotion challenge that had faltered prior to his arrival.
The opener, against a Hull side just three points and one place better off, was supposed to be the least demanding of the three, though it hardly looked that way as Leeds increasingly found themselves on the back foot.A Robert Snodgrass volley that narrowly cleared the bar and a Luciano Becchio header that was saved underneath it were the only moments for Leeds.Robert Koren was at the heart of Hull’s best attacking endeavours, starting with a 23rd-minute burst from the halfway line and pass to Cameron Stewart that the winger fired wastefully over from 15 yards.A Koren volley brought the best out of Lonergan on the half-hour, and Leeds escaped again four minutes later when Aaron Mclean steered an unchallenged header wide from Andy Dawson’s inswinging corner.Lonergan excelled himself with a full-length reflex save from a Corry Evans volley in the 39th minute, following more impressive approach work from Koren, and the Leeds goal survived another near-miss seconds later as Hull scented a breakthrough.The threat again came from Koren, whose left-foot drive from 25 yards beat Lonergan all ends up but struck the support post. Hull continued to make the running at the start of the second half, though poor finishing like Mclean’s 48th-minute effort that went yards over, may have been a concern to Nick Barmby.The Hull boss said: ‘Full credit to their keeper for three or four really top-class saves. We were the better team and would have won, if only we’d taken one of those chances near the end of the first half.’Warnock refused to concede his side’s promotion chances had gone but said: ‘We have got to win on Sunday now.’

Leeds 1 Brighton 2

An injury-time goal from Alan Navarro handed Neil Redfearn his first defeat as Leeds United caretaker manager as the Whites lost 2-1 to Brighton at Elland Road.After a goalless first 75 minutes Saturday’s Npower Championship game exploded into life in the final quarter as Leeds went one down then hit back and appeared to have done enough to earn a point only for the late strike to leave them empty handed against one of their rivals for a play-off spot.There was little to choose between the teams, but United started well and should have been in front inside four minutes only for Luciano Becchio to head wide from a delicious Robert Snodgrass cross.The Whites were then denied a stonewall penalty on 12 minutes when Ross McCormack was felled in the box by Gordon Greer, but referee Graham Salisbury, who went on to have an awful game, denied the massive shout.Becchio headed over and McCormack was off target with a long range strike before Brighton finally got their first effort in on goal on 24 minutes, Navarro firing over from just inside the box.The visitors then showed why they were unbeaten in eight coming into the game as they had a good spell, but aside from a couple of straight forward saves for Andy Lonergan there was no huge threat on the home goal up to half-time.The second half got off to an exciting start as only desperate defence denied Becchio as he came in to meet a Snodgrass cross that squirmed out of the grasp of Brighton keeper Peter Brezovan.
At the other end, Joe Mattock saw his shot deflected just wide and Sam Vokes was denied twice in a minute by Lonergan, the first time with a superb save after the ex-United striker was left unmarked in the box to get his shot in.Leeds’ on loan right-back Adam Smith, who in the first half brought a save out of Brezovan, fired over when well placed and the game had really opened up. McCormack hit two strikes over and Tom Lees saw a header from a corner saved on the line by the keeper.But it remained scoreless until the introduction of Brighton striker Craig Mackail-Smith, who scored with his first touch after Lonergan was caught out by a near post corner.United’s reply was swift as Aidan White won a corner and Becchio then met Snodgrass’s delivery with a fine header that saw the ball creep in at the far post.Leeds went for the winner, but it was their opponents who got it in the first minute of injury-time as Navarro found space on the edge of the box and beat Lonergan with a low shot.

Match Report:Crystal Palace 1-1 Leeds United

Robert Snodgrass stepped off the bench to rescue a point for Leeds against 10-man Crystal Palace just over two weeks after undergoing surgery on his appendix.

The Scotland international, a surprise inclusion in the Leeds squad, struck from close range in the 63rd minute to cancel out Chris Martin's early opener for Palace.

The hosts played the second period with 10 men after striker Sean Scannell had been sent off on the stroke of half-time for a second yellow card.

It was the second game running Leeds had come from behind against 10 men after Ross McCormack's stoppage-time winner against Burnley in their last league outing, but today's point did little for either side's npower Championship play-off aspirations.

Palace, with one eye on Wembley in the Carling Cup, have won just three of their last their last eight league games and have dropped to 13th place, while Leeds slipped to 11th, albeit just one point adrift of the top six.

Palace wasted little time in picking up where they left off in their Carling Cup semi-final win over Cardiff on Tuesday night - Anthony Gardner's goal gave them a slender lead to take into the second leg - to take a sixth-minute lead.

Martin cut inside on the left side of the penalty area and arrowed an angled shot into the bottom corner beyond Leeds goalkeeper Andy Lonergan for his second goal of the season.

Leeds spurned their best chance when unmarked midfielder Danny Pugh lashed Adam Clayton's corner over the crossbar from six yards.

Julian Speroni then pulled off two fine saves in quick succession to keep his side ahead.

The Palace keeper smothered Clayton's effort from inside the area and then parried defender Tom Lees' shot in the 36th minute.

Palace were reduced to 10 men on the stroke of half-time. Scannell, already booked for a foul on Andros Townsend, was shown a second yellow card by referee David Coote for his clumsy challenge on Pugh.

Returning Ross McCormack's close-range effort was blocked by Paddy McCarthy and Speroni saved again, from Lees' header, as the visitors looked to make their extra man count after the break.

Leeds manager Simon Grayson sent on Snodgrass for defender Aidy White in the 56th minute and was rewarded seven minutes later.

McCormack slipped the ball to his fellow Scot inside the box and Snodgrass tucked the ball into the bottom corner from six yards.

Republic of Ireland defender Paul McShane, signed on loan from Hull this week, made his Palace debut when replacing Mustapha Dumbuya in the 67th minute.

But Leeds continued to press. Snodgrass, Pugh and Clayton were all off target with long-distance efforts, while Speroni denied Leeds an 86th-minute winner when keeping out substitute Mikael Forssell's close-range shot.

Match Report Derby 1 Leeds 0

Derby’s recent dominance of Leeds continued at Pride Park this afternoon as Jamie Ward’s second-half goal earned the Rams a sixth straight win over their Yorkshire rivals.Ward was on hand to convert after his initial 67th-minute shot had been parried by Andy Lonergan and, with Leeds unable to respond, Nigel Clough’s men hung on for what was just a second win in nine and a first clean sheet in 15.The full-time whistle marked a second straight defeat for Leeds and they are now three games without a win. Chairman Ken Bates has already turned the heat up on manager Simon Grayson, celebrating three years in charge today, by demanding promotion this season, but this was not the performance of a side destined for better things.A late flurry apart, United created no genuine chances and, although Derby offered up little more, they did signal some intent when Ward hit the post in the first half and could lay claim to being deserving winners.
Derby did the double over Leeds last season, with their 2-1 victory at Pride Park in April putting the skids on Leeds’ ultimately fruitless chase of a play-off place, and the away side started as though they had revenge on their minds.A slip from John Brayford allowed Aidan White a run which Shaun Barker halted, with Michael Brown drilling wide through a crowd of bodies from the subsequent corner.After surviving that early flurry, Derby settled and Nathan Tyson, making an injury-delayed first start since his summer move from Nottingham Forest, should have done better than warm Lonergan’s palms when he got free in the 15th minute.Leeds’ leading scorer Ross McCormack then fizzed in a 35-yard drive out of nothing that Frank Fielding had to scramble to turn away, before Ward went the closest out of anyone when he worked an opening and crunched an effort into the base of Lonergan’s post.The former Sheffield United winger got the better of Tom Lees and found half a yard inside the box, with the strike rebounding into the path of the onrushing Paul Green who should have done better than bundle it away from goal.It was then Leeds’ turn to go close, with Scotland winger Robert Snodgrass at the heart of their chances. His jinking run was halted by Gareth Roberts and, from the subsequent free-kick from the corner of the box, his stinging hit was tipped over by Fielding. His corner then found Luciano Becchio free but he headed over from six yards out.A scrappy 10-minute period preceded the half-time whistle but Derby emerged the better side after it, with Roberts slicing wide when a chance presented itself to him on the edge of the area.Patrick Kisnorbo then flicked a header over for Leeds and Fielding beat away an opportunist drive from Danny Pugh as the game opened up, but the pace of Derby’s attack always promised to cause problems and so it proved as they opened the scoring.Craig Bryson’s neat ball played Ward in on the left of the box and, although his first effort was smothered by Lonergan, the ball came free and he duly tucked in his third of the season.

Leeds response was not immediate and it took 20 minutes for them to test Fielding, with the former Leeds loanee keeping out a McCormack drive and then Adam Clayton’s follow-up effort. The keeper also did well to push out a Kisnorbo header, but Leeds’ charge had come too late.

Lonergan Faces Battle to Regain Place

Leeds goalkeeper Andy Lonergan is braced for a tough fight to win back his place in the starting line-up.The 28-year-old was first choice at Elland Road before fracturing his finger in October and although fit again, he only returned to the side for Saturday's clash with Reading because on-loan Alex McCarthy was not allowed to play against his parent club.Lonergan was lobbed from an acute angle in the second minute by Reading striker Simon Church, which proved to be the winning goal, and was not entirely happy with his display in his comeback match.Lonergan told the club's official website: "There were a few groans from behind, and you think 'should I have come for it or retreated to my line?' but he controlled it well and it was a good finish.
"I was disappointed though because it was my chance to get my place back and I didn't feel as though I took that chance."I thought I'd done well before I got injured, but Alex has done well and I've got to fight for my place back. Whoever is picked next week will get my full backing."

Match report: Leeds United 0-1 Reading

Simon Grayson shuffled his pack for the visit of Reading. Andy Lonergan returned to the starting line-up for the first time since October after injury while Michael Brown and Ross McCormack also won recalls.Sadly, Lonergan's first taste of the action was to pick the ball out of the back of the net after Simon Church latched on to a long ball forward and lifted the ball home from the tightest of angles.It was a good finish, but a simple route to goal, and United were suddenly playing catch-up. The response was good with Leeds coming back out of the traps quickly and Reading were immediately put under pressure.But Reading went close again on the quarter-hour when Jobi McAnuff cut in from the right and blazed a shot wide of the mark.And Lonergan was called upon to make a good save low to his left on 20 minutes before Aidy White scrambled the ball away for a corner.On the half-hour, United won a free-kick when McCormack was brought down by McAnuff on the edge of the box, but the resultant set-piece was twice blocked by the Reading defence.The visitors did close go with a free-kick before the interval when Kaspars Gorkss headed over the top, and in the final moment of the half McCormack headed into the arms of Adam Federici.There were no changes for either side at half-time as United went in search of a route back into the game.The opening stages of the second period were a tight affair with United struggling to make any real headway against a well organised Reading side.United fashioned out a chance on 59 minutes when Danny Pugh, Robert Snodgrass, and Paul Connolly all combined well before a cheeky back-heel from Adam Clayton was smothered by Federici.On 65 minutes, Grayson made a triple change for United with Lloyd Sam, Andy Keogh and Mika Vayrynen all joining the fray.Keogh was the first sub to have any involvement when Paddy Kisnorbo headed on a Snodgrass free-kick, and the Irish international tried a spectacular effort which he couldn't quite pull off.There was a scramble on 74 minutes when both Luciano Becchio and Sam were denied by some good defending, but Reading's response was a quick break which put Leeds on the back foot.
Reading goalkeeper Federici had to react well to clear from Snodgrass on 80 minutes and Pugh followed up with a shot that was deflected wide, but the visitors remained strong and organised as the clock started to tick down.The final 10 minutes or saw offered little in the way of a route back for Leeds, as the visitors edged towards victory.Four minutes of stoppage time offered United a glimmer of hope, but there was to be no way back for Grayson's men as Reading picked up all three points.

Lonergan Closing In on Leeds Return

Leeds United goalkeeper Andy Lonergan is closing on a return to the first team following injury.Lonergan hasn`t played since breaking a finger at Doncaster in October but he returned in a midweek in a behind closed doors friendly with Bradford City at Thorp Arch.The goalkeeper enjoyed his return, keeping a clean sheet in a comfortable 3-0 win.Alex McCarthy is only available for next weekend`s game at Watford before coming to the end of his loan period from Reading.The Reading keeper has kept three clean sheets in six appearances since arriving at the club.Veteran keeper Maik Taylor signed a short-term deal with the club in November and has been acting as number two.

Paul Rachubka was loaned out to League One side Tranmere Rovers last month, after suffering a number of disastrous moments between the sticks for Leeds when he first came into the side following Lonergan`s injury.

Taylor On Trial at Leeds

Veteran goalkeeper Maik Taylor is on trial with Leeds United as Simon Grayson ponders increasing his options.The 40-year-old Northern Ireland international is available as a free agent having been released by Birmingham City at the end of last season.Taylor has already made an immediate impact for the Whites after playing in a behind-closed-doors match against Chelsea at the club's Thorp Arch training ground.The former Barnet, Southampton and Fulham shot-stopper saved a penalty as the hosts secured a 2-1 victory over the Blues.Grayson has already brought in Alex McCarthy on a month's loan from Reading, with Andy Lonergan on the sidelines with a broken finger.The Leeds boss told the club's official website: "Maik is an experienced goalkeeper who has been without a club since the summer."He is available to train and play, and he did very well against Chelsea."We're obviously looking at the goalkeeping situation so we'll see how things develop and what suits both parties."Paul Rachubka is out of favour at Elland Road after his nightmare display against Blackpool, leaving only teenager Alex Cairns as Grayson's other option.

Lonergan Out For Six Weeks

Leeds have confirmed that first-choice goalkeeper Andy Lonergan will be out for six weeks.Manager Simon Grayson confirmed that Lonergan fractured a finger in last week’s win at Doncaster RoversThe former Preston North End keeper has been sent for surgery and is unlikely to return until early December, robbing Grayson of one of United’s more influential players.Grayson said: “He’s going to be out for six weeks. He’s had an operation on the finger which he fractured on Friday night. It’s a blow for us and it’s a blow for the lad but I’ve got faith in Rachubka. He’s a keeper I can trust and who won’t let me down again.”Rachubka was a peripheral figure in a one-sided Championship game until his fumble in the third minute of injury-time handed Coventry a point and denied Leeds a third successive league win.Grayson said: “Paul’s frustrated but he’s a strong character. He’d had nothing to do all night but the game should have been over by half-time anyway with the opportunities we had.

Rachubka may start

Leeds goalkeeper Paul Rachubka could make his first league start for the club in Tuesday's home clash with Coventry.Rachubka, a free summer signing from Blackpool, made his first league appearance last Friday when replacing Andy Lonergan in the closing stages of Leeds' 3-0 win at Doncaster.Lonergan was forced out of the action after sustaining a finger injury and is rated "touch and go" by Leeds manager Simon Grayson.Grayson has no other new injury or suspension problems as his side look to extend their unbeaten league run to six matches and is not expected to make many, if any, further changes.Grayson must decide whether to leave striker Luciano Becchio on the substitutes' bench as leading goalscorer Ross McCormack continues to thrive in partnership with Andy Keogh, while Tom Lees is expected to resume alongside Darren O'Dea in central defence after successive clean sheets.

Match Report Doncaster 0 Leeds 3

Leeds United moved into the top six for the first time this season with a classy demolition of Yorkshire neighbours Doncaster Rovers.Striker Ross McCormack was the star of the show, scoring a brilliant overhead kick for Leeds that confirmed his status as the leading goalscorer in the Championship.McCormack has now bagged 10 goals in 13 appearances this season – the sort of form that will attract the attention of Scotland manager Craig Levein.Danny Pugh and Tom Lees scored the other goals as Leeds underlined their intention to push for promotion to the Premier League this season.Buoyed by a return of 10 points from their previous four games, and roared on by nearly 4,500 vociferous supporters, Leeds looked extremely high on confidence.

Even the addition of former England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland and West Ham United defender Herita Ilunga to the Rovers’ line-up could not prevent defeat.Midfielder Robert Snodgrass had recovered from the ankle injury which led to his withdrawal from Scotland’s Euro 2012 qualifiers against Lichtenstein and Spain allowing manager Simon Grayson – in his 150th match in charge of Leeds – to name the side which had inflicted defeat on Portsmouth before the international break.Rovers defender Richard Naylor, released by Leeds last summer, sent Ross McCormack tumbling to the deck early on prompting shouts for a penalty in the Leeds technical area.Referee Kevin Friend ignored the appeal and that of Billy Sharp soon after when nudged in the back by Leeds defender Darren O’Dea.Leeds took the lead with 20 minutes gone when Pugh, on loan from Stoke City, scored for the second game in a row.Rovers defender George Friend had been penalised near the corner flag for a push on McCormack and Pugh volleyed home the subsequent delivery from Snodgrass.Leeds broke regularly at speed from midfield – exposing a shortage of pace in their opponents – but they were often let down by a poor final ball.Kirkland, who had not played first-team football since January, was rarely tested before the interval apart from with the goal.However, he still showed a good pair of hands to hold a well-driven 25-yard free-kick from McCormack. Striker Jon Parkin glanced a header wide for Rovers but it was a rare scare for Leeds.Five minutes after the break, McCormack doubled Leeds’s advantage with a stunning overhead kick.The Scot had his back to goal when receiving the ball from Andy Keogh 10 yards out but leapt acrobatically to volley over his shoulder and into the roof of the net.

Things got worse for Rovers on 64 minutes when Leeds defender Lees rose to head in Snodgrass’s corner.
Leeds suffered a late injury blow when goalkeeper Andy Lonergan had to come off following a tangle with substitute James Hayter.Striker Keogh then rattled the crossbar as Leeds threatened to rub salt in the wounds.The majority of the home supporters had gone long before the final whistle.While they will never forget the memory of beating Leeds in a League One play-off final four years ago, it is now 60 years and eight games since they enjoyed a home win over their rivals from West Yorkshire.

Match Report Leeds 1 Portsmouth 0

Simon Grayson welcomed Paul Connolly back to his starting line-up for the first time since August on a day when the weather was more suited to the height of summer than the 1st of October.Leigh Bromby dropped to the bench with Tom Lees switching to centre-back. Paddy Kisnorbo missed out due to illness.The recalled Connolly almost carved out the first chance of the game when he sent in a good cross from the right, and Joel Ward had to clear the danger.Another cross from the right caused problems when Ross McCormack was denied after a good ball by Robert Snodgrass. That proved the cue for successive corners, and United went in from the second of those.Snodgrass was the provider with a good delivery and Danny Pugh found space to head home into an empty goal to put Leeds ahead.Snodgrass was causing all sorts of mayhem down the right and his next mazy run resulted in a low ball being drilled just wide of the upright.The opening half-hour was all Leeds, and Pugh went close again when he had a shot deflected wide.But the visitors did carve out an opening when Andy Lonergan was called upon to make a terrific save to claw a Greg Halford header away. When the ball was pumped back in, Halford again got up well, and his header rattled the woodwork.

But Leeds responded with McCormack sending a in a low ball and Tal Ben Haim had to clear over his own bar.
It was a good opening half from Leeds, who consistently looked a threat, particularly down the right with Snodgrass, and McCormack causing problems.
Adam Clayton was also busy in the middle of the park and he tried his luck with one effort which flew over the top.
Portsmouth offered little, but Jason Pearce led claims for a penalty when he went down as a ball came into the box, and Lonergan had to get down well to save one free-kick which was driven past the wall.
United's lead was well deserved at the interval, but the opening moments of the second period were always going to be vital in the quest for a fourth successive home league win.
And it was the visitors who opened up brightly, Liam Lawrence looking lively on the right, but Leeds were soon back on the front and Jonny Howson almost picked out Clayton with a ball into the box.
United fashioned out a half-chance on the hour when Pugh sent in a decent cross for Keogh, but the striker had to react under pressure and turned his shot wide.
With 22 minutes remaining, Grayson made his first change, introducing Luciano Becchio for Keogh.
The second half was more of a war of attrition than anything with little in the way of any clear cut chances being created. Leeds were holding the upper hand as the game entered the final 15 minutes, though.
Joel Ward did lift a shot over the bar for the visitors on 75 minutes after the visitors threatened and moments later Grayson made his final changes, bringing on Finnish duo Mika Vayrynen and Mikael Forssell for the impressive Snodgrass and McCormack.
As the game headed towards the final whistle, Forssell and Becchio linked up well and the Finn forced a great save from Stephen Henderson to thwart a certain goal.
Forssell also picked out Howson in the first minute of stoppage time, but Henderson got down well to deny the United captain.
At ther other end, Lonergan had to scramble back to tip over an audacious attempt from Lawrence and United had to deal with the corner before going on to record a fourth successive home league win, and a first clean sheet of the season.

Match Report Leeds 4 Hull City 1

Simon Grayson was forced into changing his starting line-up once again with Jonny Howson and Max Gradel both suspended, and Leigh Bromby injured.Aidy White made his first start of the season, at left-back, Darren O'Dea moved to centre-back, Ramon Nunez lined up on the left of a four-man midfield and Andy Keogh came in for his debut up front alongside Ross McCormack.Keogh, on loan from Wolves, almost made an immediate impact when he got a touch on a Robert Snodgrass free-kick and Paddy Kisnorbo saw his header cleared away. Moments later, Snodgrass tested Peter Gulacsi with a stinging shot.United also carved out an opening on the counter after Andy Lonergan collected a corner and moved the ball out quickly. Nunez raced away and fed McCormack, whose shot was deflected to safety by Joe Dudgeon.
Lonergan was again showing good command of his area and when Hull won a corner, Kisnorbo doing well, the keeper punched clear.United should have gone ahead on 15 minutes. Nunez beat Gulacsi from distance, but the shot came off the underside of the bar and McCormack was unable to keep his follow-up header down.

Moments later, McCormack was celebrating, though, when he got on the end of a Snodgrass cross and followed up his initial header, which was parried, to make it 1-0 to Leeds. It was United's first goal from open play in the league and was a well worked affair with the striker showing good instinct.
While McCormack was delighted to get off the mark, Keogh was also looking a threat and he curled a shot wide within three minutes of Leeds taking the lead.
United were dealt a blow on 21 minutes, however, when a cross came in from the Hull right and Tom Lees poked the ball into his own goal. Lees was unfortunate in that there was a Hull man coming in at the far post, and the defender had to make contact with the cross.
The equaliser saw the game level out somewhat after United's early domination, and Lonergan had to collect a couple of balls into the box after Hull got themselves in good wide positions.
United did have another opportunity leading up to half-time when Keogh again did well and McCormack saw his shot blocked by James Chester, but the goal did come moments later.

It was Lees who was the scorer when he blasted the ball home from the edge of the box on 40 minutes after Gulacsi failed to hold a ball into the box. It was the defender's first goal for the club.
United also had the ball in the net two minutes before the break when McCormack delivered a great finish - but his effort was ruled out for offside.
And Leeds had the ball in the net at the start of the second half and there was no doubt this time. Snodgrass was the scorer with a free-kick which he bent around the Hull wall.
It was the perfect start to the half and gave Leeds a two-goal cushion in a game for the first time since March.
Unsurprisingly, Hull looked to show some urgency after the goal, but United were looking fairly comfortable. When Aaron McLean got an opportunity in front of goal on the hour, Lonergan proved equal to the header and made another good save.
At the other end, United carved out a decent opening and Nunez fired over the bar from distance.
The Honduran made no mistake on 69 minutes when he got on the end of another flowing move forward and hammered the ball beyond Gulacsi to make it 4-1.
United were virtually home and hosed, although the visitors didn't give up the ghost and Matty Fryatt spooned a decent chance over the top for Hull. McLean also fired wide with a first time effort.
The final 15 minutes or so were a test for United to ensure no further goals were conceded as the visitors looked to salvage some pride from the contest.
But Leeds were always in with a chance of adding to the tally, and Snodgrass grazed the bar on 85 minutes with a shot from just outside of the box.
And that was virtually it as United eased towards a confidence boosting first league victory of the season, although Adam Clayton almost rounded off another fine performance at the heart of the midfield by adding a fifth, but he was denied by a Hull defender when the goal was beckoning.

Lonergan Gets No 1 Jersey

Andy Lonergan looks like being number one choice goalkeeper at Elland Road after the club released the squad numbers list for the new season.Lonergan only arrived last week and played the full ninety minutes in Leeds 3-2 win over Newcastle United on Sunday to give the first indication of who would be the number one.Lonergan has been allocated the number one jersey whilst Rachubka will wear the number twelve.Youngster Cairns has also been allocated a shirt, the only player of the first year professionals from the academy to be awarded one.Cairns will wear the number thirty when called upon by the team.New summer signing Michael Brown will wear the number eight shirt.
Transfer listed Mike Grella and Federico Bessone have also been allocated numbers, wearing number thirteen and twenty-one respectively.Leeds have named twenty-four players in their first team squad with only number six still vacated from the old traditional one to eleven.

Leeds Lose To Bradfod PA

A Leeds United XI tasted defeat at Bradford Park Avenue on Wednesday evening.
New signing Andy Lonergan made his debut in a game which saw the home side emerge victorious 2-1, but the former Preston goalkeeper made a couple of good second half saves, including one terrific effort to deny the hosts a third goal.
Hungarian trialist Boldiszar Bodor also featured in a Leeds side that included Mike Grella, making his first appearance of the summer, and a number of the club's young professionals.
It was a disappointing showing from United in the first period, and the home side were two goals to the good before the break. Aiden Savory scored the first with a long distance strike before Richard Marshall capitalised on a pull-back to make it 2-0.
Leeds looked much better after the break and Dominic Poleon was twice denied before Grella's mazy run ended with his shot being forced for a corner.
United did a pull a goal back when Poleon showed good strength to hold off the challenge of two defenders before touching the ball home, but it took two good saves from Lonergan to deny the home side a third goal during the closing stages.