Leeds United's Andy Lonergan out injured for six weeks

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Andy Lonergan
Image caption,

Lonergan has been an ever-present in the league for Leeds until Tuesday

Leeds United will be without first-choice goalkeeper Andy Lonergan until at least the beginning of December.

The former Preston stopper, 28, has had surgery on the finger he fractured in Friday's Championship win at Doncaster Rovers.

Manager Simon Grayson confirmed: "He's going to be out for six weeks - he had an operation on Friday.

"It is a blow for us and it is a blow for the lad but I've got faith in [reserve goalkeeper Paul] Rachubka."

Rachubka's injury-time mistake cost Leeds all three points as they drew 1-1 with Coventry City on Tuesday but Grayson said: "He's a keeper I can trust and who won't let me down again.

"Paul's frustrated but he's a strong character. He'd had nothing to do all night but the game should have been over by half-time anyway with the opportunities we had."

Darren O'Dea's first goal for the club had put Leeds on course for their third straight win before Rachubka - on his home debut - spilled a cross in the third minute of stoppage-time, allowing Richard Wood to snatch an equaliser for the Sky Blues.

"At 1-0 you know that anything can happen but we should have won that game because we were very dominant," said Grayson.

"A win and a clean sheet would have been deserved and it's two points dropped."

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