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Wanderers cannot afford to dwell on the loss of talisman Chung-Yong Lee in January, warns Neil Lennon.
The Korean playmaker will be missing for a minimum of three and a maximum of five games while on duty at the Asia Cup in Australia – leaving behind a big hole in the system which has worked so well since the manager’s arrival in October.
Lennon has already stressed the need for new signings but he has urged fans and his players not to focus on Chung-Yong’s absence, rather on returning to winning ways against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup on Saturday.
“It’s something we’ve known was going to happen, and now it’s starring us in the face,” he told The Bolton News.
“Depending on how well South Korea do in the competition he could miss the whole of January but we’ll have to concern ourselves with other things now. There are important games coming up, starting with Wigan.
“Of course it’s a blow losing a player of that quality – it would be silly to suggest otherwise – but there isn’t a lot the club can do about it, I’m afraid, and we’ve got to look to regroup.”
Exactly who could fill the gap is a matter of much debate.
Manchester United youngster Nick Powell has already been sounded out about a loan move but the emergence of Zach Clough around the first-team squad in recent weeks suggests Lennon wants to take a closer look at what he could bring to the team.
Clough was a prolific scorer at youth team level and has also found goals for the development squad, netting 13 times in 38 appearances. Like Chung-Yong he is able to play from wider positions or behind the main striker.
The 19-year-old has made three appearances on the bench this season for the Whites but is yet to make his senior debut.
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The Korean playmaker will be missing for a minimum of three and a maximum of five games while on duty at the Asia Cup in Australia – leaving behind a big hole in the system which has worked so well since the manager’s arrival in October.
Lennon has already stressed the need for new signings but he has urged fans and his players not to focus on Chung-Yong’s absence, rather on returning to winning ways against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup on Saturday.
“It’s something we’ve known was going to happen, and now it’s starring us in the face,” he told The Bolton News.
“Depending on how well South Korea do in the competition he could miss the whole of January but we’ll have to concern ourselves with other things now. There are important games coming up, starting with Wigan.
“Of course it’s a blow losing a player of that quality – it would be silly to suggest otherwise – but there isn’t a lot the club can do about it, I’m afraid, and we’ve got to look to regroup.”
Exactly who could fill the gap is a matter of much debate.
Manchester United youngster Nick Powell has already been sounded out about a loan move but the emergence of Zach Clough around the first-team squad in recent weeks suggests Lennon wants to take a closer look at what he could bring to the team.
Clough was a prolific scorer at youth team level and has also found goals for the development squad, netting 13 times in 38 appearances. Like Chung-Yong he is able to play from wider positions or behind the main striker.
The 19-year-old has made three appearances on the bench this season for the Whites but is yet to make his senior debut.
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