Schwarzer blow for Fulham

Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer faces up to six weeks on the sidelines with a spinal injury.

The Australia international sustained the injury during Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Swansea and saw a specialist consultant last night.

Schwarzer has now been diagnosed with a compression injury to his thoracic spine and will be unavailable for between four and six weeks.

As a result of losing Schwarzer for a spell, Fulham manager Martin Jol has invoked a loan agreement clause that sees England squad member David Stockdale return from a spell with Ipswich.

The injury ruled Schwarzer out of this evening’s vital Europa League Group K clash with Odense at Craven Cottage.

The 39-year-old was expected to be replaced by Philippines international Neil Etheridge, making his first-team debut aged 21.

Etheridge began his career with SW6 rivals Chelsea and penned a contract extension with Fulham until 2013 in the summer.