Gary Walsh was today back at Bradford City from his loan spell with Middlesbrough after his injury jinx struck again.

The 32-year-old goalkeeper returned to Valley Parade after suffering a muscle tear in his leg during Saturday's 3-1 Premiership win at Southampton.

It effectively ends his month's loan spell at the Riverside, although Middlesbrough will continue to pay his wages for the next fortnight.

Walsh, who had been Middlesbrough's star of the show at The Dell, said: "It's just my luck. I came here to prove I can do a job at this level and then I get injured.

"I've never had a thigh injury so I don't know how bad it is but it was very painful out there and there was no way I could kick the ball.

"I've really enjoyed it at Boro. I've hardly played any football in the past year so it was great to come here and play in a few games."

It's a particularly cruel blow for Walsh who looked to be back on form after recovering from two operations on his knee.

City assistant manager Malcolm Shotton said: "It's another setback for the lad although it's only a slight thigh strain, nothing too serious.

"But it's very unfortunate for him. We spoke to Viv Anderson at Middlesbrough and he said Gary has been outstanding for them."

After starting City's first 11 games last season, Walsh missed the November trip to Liverpool with flu.

With Matt Clarke stepping in and impressing straight away, Walsh's fortunes slumped further with a knee injury which needed two operations.

He did not feature again last season and has played only once for City since when he kept a clean sheet against RKC Waalwijk in the Intertoto Cup.

But Boro's injury crisis - they have three goalkeepers sidelined - gave Walsh a chance to emerge from Clarke's shadow.

Middlesbrough boss Bryan Robson said: "Gary did a great job for us, just as we knew he would.

"But I don't know what Bradford will think when he turns up injured. Maybe they should have expected it because it seems to happen to all Middlesbrough goalkeepers."