Luton Town will not be signing Stoke City goalkeeper Frank Fielding on an emergency loan deal, a report from The Stoke Sentinel has claimed.

This season has seen Luton have to deal with fitness issues for a several of their 'keepers on more than one occasion, with West Brom 'keeper Alex Palmer brought in on an emergency loan earlier in the campaign.

That is a situation they now find themselves in again, with first choice 'keeper James Shea currently unavailable through injury.

With Shea's likely replacement, Harry Isted, not considered a senior goalkeeper, Luton are entitled to bring in another 'keeper on an emergency loan, ahead of their clash with Blackpool on Saturday afternoon.

Recent reports from Football Insider have claimed that the Hatters were keen on signing Fielding as  short-term temporary cover between the posts.

Now however, it seems that will not be happening, with this latest update from the Stoke Sentinel revealing that Potters assistant manager Dean Holden has confirmed Fielding will not be joining Luton.

Having joined Stoke in December on a free transfer, Fielding has yet to make a first-team appearance for the Potters, although he did have an emergency loan spell in League Two with Salford last month.

The Verdict

This will be rather frustrating from a Luton Town perspective.

The Hatters are now so close to securing a Championship play-off spot, so they are going to be desperate to avoid anything that could derail that, such as a lack of experience between the posts.

Given he has been around in the Championship for many years, Fielding could certainly have been a useful option for Nathan Jones' side, had they been able to get this temporary deal done.

Now though, it seems they may have to rely on Isted to fill in again on Saturday, and this could be a big opportunity for the young stopper to show just what he can do.