ATHLETIC have suffered a blow after it was confirmed one of their on-loan quartet will return to their parent club.

Defender Sam Fisher has been recalled by Dundee, just over 24 hours before tomorrow's Scottish Cup tie with Partick Thistle.

The 21-year-old agreed a season-long loan from the Championship club in August, with a recall option, which has now been activated.

After making his debut as a late substitute in September's 2-0 win at Queen of the South, Fisher made 17 appearances for the Pars in all competitions, helping them to the top of League One.

He has been part of a Dunfermline defence that has conceded just 11 goals in 20 league games - they've also recorded 12 clean sheets in that time -as James McPake's team sit seven points clear at the top.

The Pars boss, who saw Chris Mochrie and Kane Ritchie-Hosler extend their loan spells until the end of the season, had been hopeful of keeping Fisher and Robbie Mahon, whose season-long loan from Motherwell also has a recall option.

However, Dundee, who host Dunfermline on Tuesday in the SPFL Trust Trophy quarter-finals, have decided to take Fisher back to Dens Park for their Championship campaign.

In November, Fisher spoke candidly about his loan move, commenting that he was "absolutely loving" his time at East End, and playing regularly.

He will now, though, return to Dundee, although he is ineligible for their Scottish Cup tie at St Mirren this weekend, having featured for the Pars previously in the competition.