Jimmy McNulty has stated that he plans to call England Under-20s manager Darren Moore to try to get Stockport County‘s Ollie Whatmuff recalled for the November international break.

The Hatters’ first-choice shot-stopper was selected to play in the Young Lions’ squad for their matches against Czechia and Portugal, having started in each of the three wins in the September slate of games.

County Crisis Threatens Whatmuff’s Break

However, his chances of featuring for his nation across the next week have been cast into doubt after Luca Ashby-Hammond’s straight red card in Stockport’s FA Cup first-round win over Cray Wanderers.

Whatmuff’s impending exit, combined with the red card and an injury to third-choice goalkeeper Andrew Wogan, means that Stockport have no senior keepers available to them ahead of their League One clash at home against Reading.

Speaking to Sam Byrne following the win away against Cray, Jimmy McNulty stated he would call Darren Moore ahead of the beginning of the international break to try and keep the Manchester City loanee at Edgeley Park.

“My plan is to chat to Darren and beg him! Ollie would need to be on board too, of course, but he always wants to help the team too.”

“I’ve never been in this situation before so I’m not sure just yet, but I have signed emergency goalkeepers before so if that ends up being the case, then we’ll deal with that.”

County also have an EFL Cup match against League Two side Tranmere Rovers to navigate tomorrow night, with Whatmuff’s first international fixture set to take place at Mansfield Town against Czechia on Thursday.

Hero May Be Waiting In Wings

In what is now proving to be a massive, albeit short-term, crisis for Stockport County, Jimmy McNulty will be facing an anxious wait as to whether he can get Ollie Whatmuff back in his squad ahead of the weekend.

A key player for Darren Moore’s England Under-20 side, the 19-year-old is now at the centre of a dilemma, with the Young Lions looking to remain top of the UEFA U20 Elite League and his host club looking to maintain their challenge for promotion in League One.

However, an unlikely saviour could already be at Edgeley Park if they are unable to get Whatmuff back in the form of Ben Hinchliffe.

Having retired in the summer after a decade of service for the Hatters, the 38-year-old has already stepped into the coaching room with McNulty, and with options limited to them, bringing him back for one game only in their time of need could be the perfect solution.

Even if it is just to be a substitute to Whatmuff, Hinchliffe could offer a safe, dependable pair of hands if called upon, and would surely be a great relief to the County support for the weekend.