Thatcher has been out for over a month after tearing a thigh muscle, during which he has missed a total of eight league games.
Although Thatchers return will be welcome news for Jim, it also gives him a selection dilemma for the weekend.
Full backs, David Wright and Mortiz Volz, have been in fine form for town and have helped Town to a five game unbeaten run, meaning it will be far from a stroll in the park for Thatcher to get back in to the starting line up.
However with Jim's seemingly rotational policy, Wright and Volz can afford no slip ups else they face the risk of being replaced by Thatcher.