Home
Adam Bogdan faces an extended spell on the sidelines – forcing Wanderers boss Dougie Freedman to consider his keeper options.
The Hungary international was originally pencilled in for a return from a knee injury in early December but has now fallen behind schedule after complications with his rehabilitation.
Though the 26-year-old returned to light running duties in training last week, Bogdan is now unlikely to play again until the new year.
“Adam is a little behind with where we would want to be, if I am being honest,” Freedman told The Bolton News.
“In the beginning it was an eight to 10-week injury we were looking at but I’m now told it’s 12 to 13. We could be looking at another five weeks.
“I don’t think the healing has been quite as good as we’d hoped it would be.
“The physios tell me it needs to be stripped back a little bit and given more time to naturally heal.”
Andy Lonergan has stepped seamlessly into the number one position in the last three games, while former Ipswich and Millwall keeper Arran Lee-Barrett was brought in as emergency cover on a two-month contract because back-up Jay Lynch continues to struggle with a back problem.
Lynch is no nearer a comeback, which could now mean the Whites need to extend Lee-Barrett’s stay.
“We need to be very, very careful with that situation,” Freedman said.
“We have only got a couple of keepers at the club at the moment so we need to watch that very closely and monitor it on a daily basis because we could be a bit fragile there.”
Freedman has also made the recruitment of a left-back a priority during the international break as he looks to strengthen his squad with one eye on the busy festive programme.
The Wanderers boss had Radcliffe-based Academy product Oscar Threlkeld on the bench in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Millwall but plans to target someone with Championship experience.
“We lost Marc Tierney and, though Alex Baptiste has done a wonderful job, eventually somewhere along the line you are going to have to look for a left-back,” he confirmed. “Over the two-week period we’ll have to get someone in.”
Wanderers lost three of the four Christmas and New Year games last season, with the only victory coming against Birmingham City.
And the Whites boss plans to be more prepared this time with home games against Charlton and Middlesbrough and away trips to Barnsley and Leicester City in less than a fortnight.
“I was very disappointed with the points return over the Christmas period last year,” Freedman said. “I felt I had a strong enough squad at the time but now, when I look back, I didn’t. I won’t make that mistake again.
“Four games in nine or 10 days – that’s 12 points – and that can put you in a very healthy position in this division.
“I think it’s a wise manager who makes sure he has a strong squad at that time of year.”
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
The Hungary international was originally pencilled in for a return from a knee injury in early December but has now fallen behind schedule after complications with his rehabilitation.
Though the 26-year-old returned to light running duties in training last week, Bogdan is now unlikely to play again until the new year.
“Adam is a little behind with where we would want to be, if I am being honest,” Freedman told The Bolton News.
“In the beginning it was an eight to 10-week injury we were looking at but I’m now told it’s 12 to 13. We could be looking at another five weeks.
“I don’t think the healing has been quite as good as we’d hoped it would be.
“The physios tell me it needs to be stripped back a little bit and given more time to naturally heal.”
Andy Lonergan has stepped seamlessly into the number one position in the last three games, while former Ipswich and Millwall keeper Arran Lee-Barrett was brought in as emergency cover on a two-month contract because back-up Jay Lynch continues to struggle with a back problem.
Lynch is no nearer a comeback, which could now mean the Whites need to extend Lee-Barrett’s stay.
“We need to be very, very careful with that situation,” Freedman said.
“We have only got a couple of keepers at the club at the moment so we need to watch that very closely and monitor it on a daily basis because we could be a bit fragile there.”
Freedman has also made the recruitment of a left-back a priority during the international break as he looks to strengthen his squad with one eye on the busy festive programme.
The Wanderers boss had Radcliffe-based Academy product Oscar Threlkeld on the bench in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Millwall but plans to target someone with Championship experience.
“We lost Marc Tierney and, though Alex Baptiste has done a wonderful job, eventually somewhere along the line you are going to have to look for a left-back,” he confirmed. “Over the two-week period we’ll have to get someone in.”
Wanderers lost three of the four Christmas and New Year games last season, with the only victory coming against Birmingham City.
And the Whites boss plans to be more prepared this time with home games against Charlton and Middlesbrough and away trips to Barnsley and Leicester City in less than a fortnight.
“I was very disappointed with the points return over the Christmas period last year,” Freedman said. “I felt I had a strong enough squad at the time but now, when I look back, I didn’t. I won’t make that mistake again.
“Four games in nine or 10 days – that’s 12 points – and that can put you in a very healthy position in this division.
“I think it’s a wise manager who makes sure he has a strong squad at that time of year.”
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
That means Lonners will just have to play for a few weeks longer! 
