SWINDON Town manager Richie Wellens has not ruled out making a permanent move for former loanee Eoin Doyle after the Bradford City striker was recalled by his parent club on Wednesday.

League Two’s top scorer netted 23 goals in 23 games for Swindon following his transfer to the Wiltshire side on a season-long loan back in August.

However, the Irishman has returned to Valley Parade after his goalscoring exploits propelled Town to the top of the league while the Bantams continue their chase for an automatic promotion spot.

But while Doyle was recalled following outstanding success away from his parent club, the Adver understands there are no plans for any of Town’s other loan players to follow suit.

Many fans will hope a deal can be sorted for Doyle to return to Swindon before the end of the January window.

But Wellens would not be drawn into confirming or denying the club’s transfer intentions regarding Doyle or any other potential incomings.

He said: “Is the club making an active attempt to get Eoin back? Let’s just wait and see.

“We want the player back.

“He’s Bradford’s player, he’s gone back - we’ll see what develops from there.

“It is just where we’re at in terms of our finances that means we have to take loan players and then you run the risk of players being recalled.

“We will see what happens in terms of getting Doyle back.

“Eoin has come out and said where he wants to be, how he feels.

“So we’ll just see what happens over the next couple of days, maybe the next week and then we’ll go from there."

Speaking at Swindon’s regular pre-match press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Wellens made his frustrations surrounding the loss of his side’s top scorer at such a key time in the season.

The Town boss said it is not just Doyle’s goals that will be missed, but his overall work ethic and personality around the dressing room too.

Wellens said: “I knew earlier in the week that it (Doyle being recalled) was happening.

“It’s different because when you’re taking an experienced player from a club, I.e. Anthony Grant, you’re usually taking them because their parent club don’t want them.

“The initial thought process is for them not to be called back. It’s to get them out of the door and get them off the wage bill.

“Losing Doyle is not nice because we’ve worked on stuff and now he’s gone.”