Fulham look to have got the better of a swap loan deal that sees Fernando Amorebieta move to Middlesbrough until the end of the season - with defender James Husband coming to the Cottage.
Boss Kit Symons sees Husband as the perfect answer to a troublesome left-back spot that saw both incumbents sent off in the Whites last two home matches - the first being Amorebieta.
The Venezuelan international got his marching orders on his return after injury in the 5-1 home humiliation by Bournemouth.
Last week against Leeds, Kostas Stafylidis also incurred the wrath of his boss by taking the long walk for two yellows inside 15 seconds that accelerated Fulham’s 3-0 defeat.
Husband has been frustrated by his lack of opportunities at the Riverside with George Friend proving to be one of Boro boss Aitor Karanka’s indispensables.
However, the 21-year-old was well thought of when he signed from Doncaster last summer, only to find his Championship performances amount to just three so far.
He told the club's website: "I’m delighted to be here. I've met the gaffer and the lads and I’m looking forward to my time here.
“I’m here to finish off the season and help Fulham get as high up the table as we can. You look at the players in the squad and there’s Premier League talent in there so I see no reason why we can’t go unbeaten until the end of the season.”
Amorebieta’s injury problems ironically started in the 2-0 defat to Boro in October, and although he made a partial recovery from a knee injury to feature in the 2-2 draw with Blackpool a month later, lasted only 44 minutes of that before being substituted by Stafylidis.
Amorebieta came with high hopes on a four-year deal in summer 2013 as then boss Martin Jol planned to beef up the centre of defence.
But the player who will be 30 on the 29th of this month, suffered in form and fitness to mirror Fulham’s plunge from the Premier League.
That said, Boro have central defensive concerns themselves with injuries and loss of form, and at least Amorebieta has switched from a relegation battle to a promotion surge.
