Fulham’s Stockdale grasps return chance to Yorkshire with Tigers

Tigers boss Bruce watched the Fulham goalkeeper turn out for the Cottagers’ reserves at Middlesbrough on Monday and was impressed enough to sign the former York City goalkeeper on a month’s loan.

“I played for Fulham’s reserves up at Middlesbrough on Monday and Steve Bruce was there,” Stockdale said, after agreeing a deal until the New Year.

“How the move came about I’m not too sure, but it all happened very quickly and now I’m delighted to be here.

“It’s all about playing games really and that wasn’t happening at Fulham because their goalkeeper is doing really well. You can’t argue with that.

“Hopefully I can play some games here. With the position the team is in, and the fan-base there is here, coming here was something I really wanted to do once the chance came about.

“There are plenty of games coming up and some really good ones as well. If we can pick up points along the way, like the team has been doing, then that can put us in a great position heading towards the back end of the season,” added the 27-year-old Leeds-born goalkeeper.

Bruce has yet to decide whether to rest current No 1 Ben Amos after a long run in the team for tomorrow’s visit of Burnley, or stick with a winning side after last time out at Birmingham City.

“It’s something I’ve got to look at because Ben Amos has done very well for us,” he said.

“He’s played 20-odd games on the trot and that’s fantastic for him and he’ll learn from the experiences he’s had. He’s made a couple of mistakes, but every player does and I want to stress that this isn’t the end for Ben Amos, far from it.

“David is an experienced goalkeeper who played games in the Premier League last season and did very well,” said Bruce.

“With the injury Mark Oxley has suffered and with the amount of games coming up before the window opens again, going through with two goalkeepers wasn’t going to be healthy at all.”

Tigers defender Paul McShane (calf) is a doubt for tomorrow’s game at the KC Stadium.