Leeds United’s Andy Lonergan may soon look another inspired Orta signing

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Leeds United re-signed Andy Lonergan from Wolves in the summer but he has not played a minute of Championship football so far.

Leeds United fans might have wondered why the club needed to sign Andy Lonergan this summer.

After all, Leeds had just completed the signing of Felix Wiedwald from Werder Bremen, a goalkeeper who had played regularly in the Bundesliga over the last two seasons. And, in reserve shot-stopper Bailey Peacock-Farrell, The Whites also boasted one of the most promising young ‘keepers in the country.

Lonergan, meanwhile, appeared to be past his best at the age of 33 and, having made just one appearance for Wolves in the Championship last season, supporters might have wondered whether he still has it what takes in the second tier.

Yet, arguably Leeds’ most questionable summer signing could soon look like one of their most inspired. Supporters have been clamouring for the veteran glovesman, who played 38 times for Leeds in 2011/12, to make his second Championship debut at home to Reading after the international break.

And with Wiedwald coming under huge pressure after a dreadful run of results, Thomas Christiansen is facing up to a real selection headache. The German conceded 13 goals in his final three Bundesliga games for Bremen and, after keeping six consecutive clean sheets in his first seven games for Leeds, his vulnerabilities have begun to shine through.

Wiedwald has conceded eight goals in his last three games and former Whites hitman Noel Whelan even went as far as to describe the 27-year-old as a ‘coward’ after he was bullied by Sheffield Wednesday in Sunday’s 3-0 defeat at Hillsborough, per BBC Radio Leeds.

The experience and reliability of Lonergan, then, could be a welcome addition to Leeds’ starting XI if Christiansen feels that a change is required.

Director of Football Victor Orta has been praised for the inspired signings of Samu Saiz, Pierre-Michel Lasogga and co but Lonergan could prove to be just as astute.