And the 30-year-old former fans’ favourite could make a second ‘debut’ at home to Tadcaster Albion on Tuesday night after Burnley youngster Kai Calderbank-Park successfully filled the gap with successive clean sheets over the festive holiday fixtures.

Brown said: “With Connor’s injury taking longer than first thought to heal we felt it important to seek someone who could come in and maintain the high level he has set.

“Initially Kai came in and has done that over the Christmas period and we are extremely grateful to him Burnley for agreeing to the loan at such short notice.

“However, the opportunity to sign a more permanent replacement in Chris was one we couldn’t turn down and I’m delighted to bring him back to the club.”

Thompson spent two seasons with the Blues up to the summer of 2018 following earlier stints with Kendal Town and Colne.

The 30-year-old didn’t miss a game in the 2017/18 season as one of the Blues’ top keepers of recent times.

And his return will provide a further lift for Brown’s men as they look to extend their unbeaten right-match home run against Tadcaster and climb back into the league’s play-off places.