Why 'bittersweet' loan recall Harry Whitwell can play for West Brom in the FA Cup after new cup-tied rule
A recent change to FA Cup rules has allowed recalled Albion midfielder Harry Whitwell to feature for the Baggies on Sunday.
Whitwell, 20, is back at The Hawthorns having been recalled by his parent club following a stunning loan at high-flying National League outfit Forest Green Rovers, where he won acclaim as his loan side's star man.
His return is a timely one for Albion and interim James Morrison. The call was believed to have been made in part with Whitwell's availability for Sunday's tie at Championship rivals Swansea City in the FA Cup third round in mind.
Whitwell played for loan club Forest Green in their 4-3 first round exit to League One Luton.
Under previous rules he would have been cup-tied and unable to represent the Baggies but relaxed regulations, put in place last summer, have provided more loan flexibility in the competition.
The updated cup-tied rule 95 now specifies that loan players can play for two clubs in the FA Cup in a single season.
It reads: "A player is now permitted to play for TWO clubs in the competition in the same season.
