Fulham on-loan keeper David Stockdale has returned to Fulham after first-choice keeper 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 Ipswich 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 Ipswich.
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.
Fulham Club statement:
During the match against Swansea on Saturday 10 December, Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer injured his neck.
Following an assessment by a specialist consultant on Tuesday evening, the Club can confirm that he has sustained a compression injury to his thoracic spine and that he will be unavailable for 4 to 6 weeks, and is expected to return to play towards the end of January.
The Club has exercised a clause in the loan contract of David Stockdale, and he has been recalled from Ipswich Town to join the squad.