Loan keeper David Stockdale has returned to his parent club Fulham after their first-choice glovesman Mark Schwarzer was ruled out for up to six weeks due to a neck injury. The Cottagers inserted a 24-hour recall clause in the deal when Stockdale joined the Blues on a season-long loan in the summer.
Yesterday, Fulham boss Martin Jol appeared hopeful that the Australian veteran’s problem wasn’t too serious and that he would be fit enough to play in this evening’s Europa League game against Danish side Odense. However, after the 39-year-old saw a specialist, he was diagnosed with a compression injury to his thoracic spine, which will keep him out for four to six weeks, leading to the decision to bring Stockdale back from Town.
The 26-year-old could return to Portman Road in January on a half-season loan if and when Schwarzer is fit with Stockdale understood to have been happy with the Blues.
Richard Wright could come back into the Town side for Saturday’s home match against Derby with the ex-England man close to a recovery from his shoulder injury. If not, Arran Lee-Barrett will start with US U20 international keeper Cody Cropper on the bench.
Stockdale, who was spotted out celebrating Christmas with Town’s other keepers in Woodbridge last night, made 18 appearances for the Blues, conceding 35 goals.