BRIGHTON manager Chris Hughton expects his young keeper Christian Walton to be available to go back out on loan “in the autumn” after cutting short a season-long spell at Bury.

The 19-year-old Truro-born stopper returned to his parent club on Friday for treatment on a groin injury.

And Hughton said the Championship side would manage his rehabilitation rather than leaving him to recover at Gigg Lane.

“Christian is back with us for his treatment on a groin problem, and we felt it was right to bring him back here so he can play some matches with our under-21s as part of his rehabilitation,” said the Brighton boss.

“The view then would be to loan him back out some time in the autumn."

Walton conceded 15 goals in six games after starting the season as Bury’s number one keeper.

His last match was the 4-1 defeat at home to Leicester in the Capital One Cup, with Rob Lainton replacing him in the starting line-up for Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Oldham.

The teenaged keeper was also forced to pull out of England's Under-21s squad for Thursday’s international against the USA at Preston and next Monday’s game in Norway.

A statement from Bury read: “Our thanks and best wishes are extended to Christian and we hope him a speedy recovery from injury.”