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Wanderers want to try to strike a deal with South Korea which would allow them to keep hold of Chung-Yong Lee for the FA Cup clash against Wigan Athletic.
The influential playmaker is due to link-up with his countrymen in Australia later this month for the Asia Cup and could potentially miss the whole of January’s fixtures.
Korea do not play their first group game against Oman until January 10 in Canberra and the Whites boss is hoping he can delay Chung-Yong’s departure to allow him to face the Latics at the Macron Stadium.
A similar deal has been struck by Premier League Crystal Palace to hold on to midfielder Mile Jedinak, who is due to play for hosts Australia and Lennon is hopeful a similar arrangement can be made.
“He’s due to fly out after the Huddersfield Town game but I’m going to have a little chat with him before then, see if we can keep him a little bit longer,” he told The Bolton News.
“I know Mile Jedinak has delayed going over to stay at Crystal Palace so we’re hoping that can be the case with Chungy as well.”
Chung-Yong is guaranteed to miss the January 17 visit to Sheffield Wednesday but could then be unavailable for the away game at Rotherham United and the home clash with Wolves should Korea reach the latter stages of the tournament.
If they reach the final, the earliest he could return would be the home game against Derby County on February 7.
Concentrating on the immediate future, Lennon wants his side to be within striking range of the top half of the table as he gets the chance to strengthen in the January window.
“We have got three tough games over the festive period but I’d like us to remain unbeaten in all of them,” he said.
“We’re pleased with the progress we’ve made so far. It was never going to be an overnight success but it has been solid and it has been steady.
“It’s clear we need to boost the squad and now it’s a case of trying to hold things together as best as we can until the transfer window opens and we can do something about it.
“What I’m hoping for is to be in a good position in the league by the turn of the year and give us something to aim at because the play-offs are in mind.”
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The influential playmaker is due to link-up with his countrymen in Australia later this month for the Asia Cup and could potentially miss the whole of January’s fixtures.
Korea do not play their first group game against Oman until January 10 in Canberra and the Whites boss is hoping he can delay Chung-Yong’s departure to allow him to face the Latics at the Macron Stadium.
A similar deal has been struck by Premier League Crystal Palace to hold on to midfielder Mile Jedinak, who is due to play for hosts Australia and Lennon is hopeful a similar arrangement can be made.
“He’s due to fly out after the Huddersfield Town game but I’m going to have a little chat with him before then, see if we can keep him a little bit longer,” he told The Bolton News.
“I know Mile Jedinak has delayed going over to stay at Crystal Palace so we’re hoping that can be the case with Chungy as well.”
Chung-Yong is guaranteed to miss the January 17 visit to Sheffield Wednesday but could then be unavailable for the away game at Rotherham United and the home clash with Wolves should Korea reach the latter stages of the tournament.
If they reach the final, the earliest he could return would be the home game against Derby County on February 7.
Concentrating on the immediate future, Lennon wants his side to be within striking range of the top half of the table as he gets the chance to strengthen in the January window.
“We have got three tough games over the festive period but I’d like us to remain unbeaten in all of them,” he said.
“We’re pleased with the progress we’ve made so far. It was never going to be an overnight success but it has been solid and it has been steady.
“It’s clear we need to boost the squad and now it’s a case of trying to hold things together as best as we can until the transfer window opens and we can do something about it.
“What I’m hoping for is to be in a good position in the league by the turn of the year and give us something to aim at because the play-offs are in mind.”
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