Arsenal have a recall clause in Charlie Patino’s contract this season, with the midfielder approaching a return from injury with Blackpool.

Football.London report that Arsenal have a recall clause in Charlie Patino’s contract, allowing the Gunners to bring the young midfielder back to the club in January if they so choose.

Arsenal are short on midfielders at the moment, following injuries to their senior options, but Patino wouldn’t have been able to do much about that – as he’s injured as well.

Absent since mid-August, Football.London claim Patino is now close to a return. He’s hoping to rejoin the squad when Blackpool play against Rotherham on Wednesday, but that match may still come too soon for him.

Speaking 11 days ago, Blackpool manager Michael Appleton said Patino should be around 10 days away from a return. Speaking on Tuesday, Appleton confirmed Patino had rejoined training. So everything appears to be on schedule.

Patino had impressed in his early cameos before the injury, making a couple of positive Championship substitute appearances and winning the Man of the Match award on his first League Cup start.

Things appeared to be going well on his first Championship start as well, until the injury.

Blackpool’s away trip to Rotherham United on September 14th would be a good game to return to the squad, with fellow loanee Brooke Norton-Cuffy likely playing for the opposition.