Fulham goalkeeper back at Fulham for treatment after aggravating thigh muscle

Neil Etheridge has returned to Fulham for treatment after aggravating his thigh in the 1-0 defeat Stevenage on Tuesday night. Etheridge has not torn the muscle, which previously ended his loan spell with us back in November.

Fulham cannot recall the goalkeeper for 28 days as part of the loan agreement so Etheridge will remain our player but receive treatment from his parent club.

Crewe boss Steve Davis has hinted that he may look to bring in another goalkeeper as to not go to the end of the season with just two goalkeepers. Ben Garratt is likely to be recalled to the starting line-up for the visit of Swindon after being left out at Stevenage.

Steve told the club’s official web-site: “Neil has aggravated his thigh muscle. He hasn’t torn it so that is a plus but he has had some trauma there and you could see that he was holding back with his kicking on Tuesday night. He was finding it hard to follow through with his kicking.

“He has had a scan on it and he has been able to do some goalkeeping work down at Fulham without pushing himself too much in relation to his kicking. Fulham cannot recall him for 28 days. We are hopeful that he won’t be out for more than a few weeks.

“It is hugely disappointing for him and he actually rang me to apologise. He felt he let us down and it was good of him to call. He didn’t let us down and didn’t have too much to do on Tuesday night. We will keep in touch and see how things evolve.

“We could bring someone else in if needs be and we may look to do something before the deadline because I don’t want to risk only having two goalkeepers.”