Watford goalkeeper Pontus Dahlberg has been recalled from his loan at Doncaster Rovers. The Swedish shot-stopper has immediately been loaned to Gillingham for the remainder of the season.
Dahlberg had been battling relegation with Doncaster but, since Richie Wellens’ sacking in December, has found himself as Gary McSheffrey’s number two – behind the academy produced Louis Jones.
Watford have made the decision to recall him in a bid to keep him playing regular games, something they now hope he’ll get with fellow League One strugglers Gillingham.
Watford Goalkeeper Pontus Dahlberg Recalled From Doncaster Loan and Joins Gillingham
𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 📰 | #Gills have secured the signature of Swedish international goalkeeper, Pontus Dahlberg, on loan from Watford until the end of the season. ✍️https://t.co/Dnpdgv4m4l#WelcomePontus
— Gillingham FC (@TheGillsFC) January 14, 2022
Watford Goalkeeper a Good Signing for Gillingham
Dahlberg was arguably the best goalkeeper in the Doncaster Rovers squad but with new managers come different ideas and Gary McSheffrey had made it very clear that Dahlberg was his number two.
Before Dahlberg was recalled, McSheffrey told the Doncaster Free Press: “Ultimately, the Pontus one is out of our hands because he’s played enough games for Watford to call him back. So we’ll wait and see.
“Pontus is good enough to be a number one in this league and I think there’s one or two clubs that would like to take him. We’ll just see where it’s at in the next couple of days. I would like to keep him because otherwise, it would leave us short.”
The 22-year-old goalkeeper kept four clean sheets in 20 appearances for Rovers. His distribution was lacking at times but he made up for it with his shot-stopping ability, including some penalty-saving exploits.
Dahlberg is regularly involved in the senior Sweden setup and has played for his country twice.
With both Dahlberg and fellow Watford teammate Tiago Cukur out of the window for Rovers, games postponed on international matchdays become less likely. Something that could help as Rovers look for some momentum. Their exits have also freed up further loan slots.
Though, with him joining relegation rivals Gillingham, who sit just one place above Rovers in 23rd, they run the risk of him becoming an advantage to those they are competing with.
McSheffrey’s Goalkeeper Plan to Cover for Pontus Dahlberg Exit
Gary McSheffrey also told the Doncaster Free Press of his plans without Dahlberg: “We’ve got Ben Bottomley out on loan at Tadcaster and there is a callback option on that. Short term, Ben would sit on the bench as back-up.
“And then we know we can use the emergency loan market if Louis was to get an injury.”
Gillingham’s Second Signing of January Window
Dahlberg is Gillingham’s second signing of the winter window. He follows Norwich City’s Thomas Dickson-Peters, who also arrived on loan until the end of the season.
Much needed additions for Gillingham, who look to maintain their League One status. Gillingham haven’t won a league game since October 19, 2021, when beating Doncaster 1-0.
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