On-loan Town keeper David Stockdale hasn’t totally ruled out joining the Blues on a permanent basis when his current spell is up at the end of the season. The 26-year-old signed a new contract with parent club Fulham taking him up to 2015 in July, the same day as he joined Town on a season-long loan.
The England squad regular says he doesn’t expect to usurp Fulham’s 39-year-old current number one Mark Schwarzer in the short term: "He’s a quality goalkeeper and he’s going to be like that for a number of years yet. I think he could have another two or three seasons in him the shape he keeps himself in.
"If that proves to be the case then you never know what could happen. I’ve signed a long-term contract there, but if we got promoted and the gaffer wanted me, you can never say never.
"I really like it here,” he added. "The coaching staff are great, the squad is good and I’m totally settled and happy.”
However, speaking a month ago, boss Paul Jewell, who is continuing to search for a third keeper in addition to Stockdale and deputy Arran Lee-Barrett, said he thought it was unlikely that the Cottagers would be willing to sell: "We’re watching lots of goalkeepers and we’re trying to line up a keeper for next season because I know that Fulham won’t sell David Stockdale.
"We’re trying to line up a young one who will hopefully take us forward in the next few years."