Manchester City recall on-loan goalkeeper Cieran Slicker early

Manchester City have recalled goalkeeper Cieran Slicker from a loan spell at Rochdale, the League Two club have confirmed.

The 20 year-old, who initially moved to the Crown Oil Arena on a season-long loan in the summer, has returned to Manchester City early after a difficult campaign at Rochdale.

Slicker has made just three appearances for the Dale, featuring in the Carabao Cup and EFL Trophy.

Rochdale have won just five league games all season and currently find themselves in 22nd place in League Two.

A statement on the club website said: “We can confirm that Cieran Slicker has returned to parent club Manchester City.

“The goalkeeper, who joined Dale in July, made three appearances during his time at the Crown Oil Arena.

“We would like to thank Cieran for his efforts during his time with the club and wish him all the best for the future.”

The goalkeeper has never featured competitively for Pep Guardiola’s side but was an unused substitute on eight occasions during the 2021/22 campaign.

Slicker isn’t the first player the Blues have recalled from a loan spell this month, with striker Liam Delap switching Stoke City for Preston in the Sky Bet Championship.

Left-back Josh Wilson-Esbrand has also completed a short-term loan move to Coventry during the opening weeks of the January transfer window.

It remains to be seen whether Slicker will be loaned out elsewhere or join up with Brian Barry-Murphy’s EDS side, with the Blues currently topping the PL2 by one point.