Doncaster Rovers boss Darren Moore talks Joe Lumley's future, free agent goalkeepers and Louis Jones

Darren Moore has confirmed he wants goalkeeper Joe Lumley to remain with Doncaster Rovers until January.
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Lumley joined Rovers on Friday on an emergency loan deal from Queens Park Rangers after Josef Bursik was recalled from his season-long loan by Stoke City.

Emergency loan deals last for a week and must be renewed with agreement from the EFL where desired.

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And Moore has indicated that he will be seeking to do that with Lumley.

Joe LumleyJoe Lumley
Joe Lumley

“It’s a seven day loan so it made him eligible for Sunderland and makes him eligible for Blackpool on Tuesday,” he said.

“We’ll be straight onto it, trying to sort it out. Where it will lead us, we don’t know.

“We’ve got some time because he’s eligible for Tuesday before we have to look towards the cup game at the weekend.”

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It is understood that QPR have agreed in principle for Lumley to remain with Rovers until January.

Throughout his stay, the 25-year-old must start any game for which he is available, as per the rules of emergency loans.

This would deny Louis Jones the opportunity to play in the next six weeks.

Should Jones play in that period, it would prevent Rovers from signing an emergency goalkeeper whilever he was fit and available.

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The academy product has made four senior appearances - one fewer than the limit which would bar Rovers from being judged as needing to bring in an additional keeper.

Moore has ruled out the possibility of signing a free agent goalkeeper which would give him flexibility in selection.

And he is confident Jones understands the situation, with the need for two senior keepers at the club.

He said: “It’s a situation where if you sign an emergency keeper, they’ve got to play. It’s a ruling.

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“We’ll speak to Louis but he’s understanding of the situation because we can’t go through the season with one goalkeeper.

“You wouldn’t want to [sign a free agent] because of the continuity.

“We’ve had three goalkeepers in a little amount of time.

“Keeping Joe, it’s something that’s got to work with us and the club he’s with but if it’s possible then we’d like to do so.”

Moore was pleased with Lumley’s performance on his debut.

Though he was not unduly troubled by Sunderland for much of the game, he showed every good composure despite having trained with his new team mates only once beforehand.

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He was beaten only by a stunning strike from Grant Leadbitter which put the visitors ahead.

“Calm, assured, very good,” he said of the keeper’s performance.

“You saw the type of goal that had to beat him. It was a special goal.

“Nobody would have foreseen what would come about over the week. It’s a bit of a bizarre situation.

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“We’ve had to deal with it and we’ve dealt with it in the best possible way we could.

“It was difficult for Joe because he’s only trained on Friday.

“But he came into the game and he’s certainly helped us get the point.”

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