WANDERERS goalkeeper Frank Talia won his first team place back on Saturday and then set his sights on keeping hold off the number one jersey this time.

Talia regained the gloves for Saturday's 2-1 win at Lincoln after on-loan Preston keeper Andrew Lonergan suffered a cruciate injury in training on Thursday afternoon.

Lonergan was immediately sent back to North End for treatment and won't play for at least six weeks.

He suffered a freak one-million to-one injury when the screw he had inserted in his leg to help him recover from a previous cruciate operation popped out.

Talia said: "I'm not over the moon about the way I've got my place back. I feel very sorry for Andy because he has come in and done very well and is a very good goalkeeper and you don't wish him that kind of luck but I have got to take my chance and try and show the manager that he doesn't need to go out and find another keeper.

"It hurt losing my place but that is football.

"I thought I was a bit unlucky but it was the manager's decision and I had to live with it and work hard to get my place back. I came in early every day and worked harder and rolled my sleeves up.

"There was no other way to look at it. If the manager thinks you are not playing as well as he wants you've got to play better and do what he wants."

The Aussie was given a harsh welcome back to the first team at in Saturday's bruising battle at Sincil Bank.

He needed six stitches inserting in his lip at half time but said there was no way he was coming off.

He said: "My head was a bit queasy but it was not enough to stop me playing. I want to play every week and it was nice to come out on top.

"It was niggly game. Lincoln tried to unsettle us and rough us up but we showed that we can mix it and still come out on top.

"We've kept the unbeaten run going, we're sitting there at the top of the table and long may it continue."