Manchester Evening News

Lonergan enjoyed return to action for Dale

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ROCHDALE’S emergency loan goalkeeper Andy Lonergan admitted that he was ‘buzzing’ about being given the opportunit­y to play on Saturday.

Lonergan joined Dale on a week’s emergency loan from Championsh­ip club Middlesbro­ugh last Thursday after a goalkeepin­g crisis hit Spotland.

Josh Lillis sustained an injury in the 2-1 victory at Walsall, while Magnus Norman retuned to Fulham following a loan spell and Brendan Moore moved to Atlanta United in the MLS, leaving the club with 18-year-old Bradley Wade as their only available goalkeepin­g option.

Lonergan, who went straight into the side that lost 1-0 at home to Coventry at the weekend, said he was pleased to be helping out the team.

He said: “The first few days have been good and really enjoyable, although the result is disappoint­ing.”

And Lonergan, 35, joked about being made to feel old by fellow keeper Brad Wade, who is 17 years his junior.

“Brad is good lad and he’s made me feel really old because he played in the same team as my cousin who I still see as being about five or six, although he’s obviously 18 now,” he added.

Rochdale’s next game is at home to AFC Wimbledon and with Lillis still injured and Lonergan’s emergency loan deal ending this week it remains unclear who will be in goal for Dale.

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