ADAM El-Abd has said that finances are not part of the reason as to why he will not be returning to Swindon Town.

The central defender returned to parent club Bristol City this week despite a verbal agreement for him to play at the County Ground for the rest of the campaign.

“The verbal agreement has been in place since Rochdale in the FA Cup (in November). If I played in that game, I would stay for the rest of the season,” El-Abd told the Advertiser.

“For some reason, it hasn’t worked out that way and whatever the reasons are, I know that it is not financial.

“I would have loved to have stayed for the rest of season, but I don’t think that will be possible now.

“I’m not sure what the future holds for me. I have got 18 months left on my contract at Bristol, so we will see what happens.”

The former Brighton and Hove Albion man also paid tribute to the fans at the County Ground during his short stay.

“The fans were fantastic,” said the 31-year-old. “The greeting they gave was special and the way they get behind the team is superb.

“There are some really good people at the club and I’m so pleased that I got the chance to meet them.”

The former Egypt international also enjoyed the style of football that Town started to play during Martin Ling’s short tenure.

“I really enjoyed my time at Swindon,” said the defender, who arrived at the County Ground in October on a three-month loan deal.

“They have a good, nice way of playing, a nice philosophy and it was a nice dressing room to be a part of.

“I also got on well with the chairman (Lee Power) – it is just a shame that it hasn’t worked out the way it was supposed to for one reason or another.”