Stockport County have re-signed forward Louie Barry from Premier League side Aston Villa for his third loan spell with the club.
The 22-year-old returns to the Hatters having previously scored 25 goals in 45 appearances in two loan stints at Edgeley Park.
Since his last loan with Stockport at the beginning of last season, Barry has spent time with Hull and Sheffield United but a knee injury has limited his gametime.
In a statement, Stockport said the move would allow him to continue his recovery and the club will “hopefully see him pull on a County shirt once again in the final few weeks of the campaign”.
Stockport boss Dave Challinor said: “Whether Louie plays a massive part, a small part or even no part, the desire for all parties to reunite him back with the football club was unanimous.
“His connection with the club has become a special one from both sides and the impact he has had within our team when playing has been huge.
“He’s obviously returning from an injury which required surgery, and we are in the hands of the medical teams as to when he returns. He’s stepping up his rehab and should be back running in the coming week or so and, all things being equal, we may see him back out on the pitch somewhere around the middle of March.
“If it’s quicker, fantastic, if it’s not, then so be it. We are doing this as a ‘possibility’ signing, but are very clear as to what could or could not happen.”
