Midfielder Bowden recalled from Oldham loan spell by Spurs

The midfielder had agreed a season-long loan in the summer but there was a recall option which the Premier League club have activated, with a view to him securing a loan spell in League One for the second half of the season.

It is a blow for Latics to lose the 20-year-old, who has impressed since arriving at Boundary Park in August, on the eve of the season.

But they are working hard to secure their first January signing and it is understood they are hopeful of doing so this week.

Bowden has made 24 appearances for Latics in all competitions, scoring his first senior goal in a 2-1 defeat at Exeter City in November - a terrific strike that was shortlisted for the League Two goal of the month award.

Bowden spoke recently of how much he had enjoyed his time at Oldham, despite the team’s struggles, saying: "Every day is a new learning day playing in the league knowing what it's about and actually playing for something, for points.

"I think it's a good thing for me and I'm enjoying every second of it.

"With Tottenham it was just to get out playing the game I love and to get an experience like this. So far I've done that.

"We've had ups and downs and I think I've got the full experience of it so far. Although it's been hard I've got a lot of experience packed into just a few months here, so it's good for my development for sure.”

There have been personal benefits for Bowden during his loan spell too, as well professional.

"I've got a good bunch of mates around me now so when I have to leave them it'll be tough as I've settled in well and it's gone better than I thought in terms of getting the full experience,” the 20-year-old added.

"I love Manchester and the areas around it, Oldham is perfect where it's placed for that and I've been able to do some exploring. I think the city is like a small London so I'm quite used to it and I'm actually enjoying it more than I would in London, so that's good.

"It was a big move at the time but it was an opportunity I couldn't turn down and being able to get away from where I was before and challenge myself as it's a big season for me personally to really make the step up.”

A statement on Oldham's website read: "Oldham Athletic can confirm that Jamie Bowden has returned to Tottenham Hotspur.

"Originally signing on a season-long loan deal, his parent club has activated an option to recall him. It is expected he will be loaned back out to a team in a higher division for the remainder of the 2021/22 season.

"A midfielder with an abundance of technical ability, Bowden arrived at Boundary Park in August 2021, and has since occupied the role in the middle of the pitch for the club.

"The 20-year-old featured 24 times throughout his first loan spell away from the Premier League outfit, Bowden's highlight coming in November 2021 as he scored from 25-yards against Exeter City which was nominated for the Sky Bet League Two Goal of the Month award.

"The deep-lying playmaker also featured across all the different competitions for Latics in the first part of the campaign and the club would like to thank Jamie for his contribution at the club and wish him all the best for the future."