IAN Lawlor is not sure what his long-term future is, but the Latics keeper is enjoying life in a side he feels is developing all the time.

The Doncaster loanee has made 29 appearances in all competitions for Oldham this season and is out of contract at the Keepmoat Stadium in the summer.

The 26-year-old Dubliner knows a strong season between the sticks at Boundary Park will enhance his chances of landing a deal with Latics or elsewhere.

It could even improve his international chances having been capped by the Republic of Ireland up to Under-21 level and been on the bench for the senior side in the not too distant past.

But that will only come with some good form for Latics and Lawlor has praised the role of Harry Kewell in bringing him to the club and has backed Oldham to kick on between now and the end of the League Two season.

“The gaffer knew all about me and I want to repay the trust he’s shown,” Lawlor told the Irish Examiner.

“I was one of several new players in the team, so we knew results would pick up after a sticky start.

“I’m really enjoying the momentum from playing twice per week as it helps improve my game.

“I know that I’ve still a hell of a way to go.

“I don’t know what the future holds after my contract at Doncaster ends in the summer.

“Everybody wants to play at a higher level.

“Of course, getting back into the Ireland squad is in the back of my mind but there’s a lot of amazing goalkeepers ahead of me and nothing comes easy in football.”

His Latics spell is something of a rebuild for Lawlor after falling down the pecking order at

Doncaster.

Having made 85 appearances for Rovers following his move from Manchester City in 2017, the shot-stopper found himself sidelined last season and in need of first-team football.

Lawlor played four games on loan at Scunthorpe before being snapped up by Kewell on a season-long loan deal in the summer.

“I had to take my medicine because the manager (Darren Moore) fancied another ‘keeper but he wouldn’t let me go to some clubs on loan,” he said.

“Between injuries and falling out of favour with some managers, I’ve recovered from many setbacks during my career. I wasn’t going to mope around feeling I needed to prove myself. It was just a case of going elsewhere.”