Robbie Stockdale has returned back to Middlesbrough early from his
loan spell as he is still injured.
"He got the hamstring injury at Spurs and it won't go away," says Alan Pardew, "so I have said that in everyone's interests it would be best for him to go back to Middlesbrough.
"I have given him two or three days up there to see how he progresses but if he is not involved in the next three games then I don't feel it is worth him staying.
"Middlesbrough want to assess him and we will go from there."
Alan reveals that the right back slot is still one he would like to bring someone in for, and adds:
"The situation has been like that for a long time that we are short of bodies.
"But we still have Tomas who can play there and he will have to continue until such time as we find a natural right back."