Simon Church will not be returning to Crewe Alexandra on loan after Steve Holland admitted he cannot guarantee the Reading youngster a start most weeks. Chruch made a favourable impression during a three-month loan spell, especially in November where he scored his first senior goal away at Cheltenham.

With Nicky Maynard returning to full fitness and Lee Barnard temporary returning here on loan, Church then lost his place in the side, and was left out completely for our high profile meeting with Leeds United in front of the television cameras earlier this month.

Church did briefly win his place back in the side, but suffered a foot injury at Carlise in the opening few minutes and was later replaced by Shaun Miller. It was a frustrating end to Church's loan and although the club were keen to take him until the end of the campaign, Reading understandably would prefer him to be playing regularly.

Steve explained: "We would have liked to have kept Simon until the end of the season and I'm pretty sure he would have stayed if we could promise him a start every week but I couldn't do that.

"We have had a chat and I was up front and honest with him and with Reading. I think we were fair when we said we would be keen to keep him but we couldn't guarantee him a place.

"At the time we had two bids on the table for other strikers and Nicky was coming back to full fitness, so I think Simon understood our decision.

"He went back to Reading and had discussion with them and of course they loan their younger players out, so they can play regularly and gain experience. That is their objective and we are the same when we lend our younger players out to League Two or non-league clubs.

"I'm sure Simon enjoyed his experience with us. He was a terrific lad to work with and he is one we will certainly keep an eye on."