Dundee United have released Fulham and Australian striker Adam Taggart from his loan deal early but not to engineer a reported A-League switch.
The 22-year-old's loan from Fulham was due to expire next month, but United opted to cut it short with Taggart only making nine appearances for the club without a goal.
Taggart will immediately return to parent club Fulham, who last month sacked Kit Symons. Symons previously sent the Socceroo out on loan.
The Perth-born striker is yet to debut at Fulham despite joining the club 18 months ago, after winning the A-League Golden Boot at Newcastle Jets and playing in the 2014 World Cup.
He has been linked with a return to his hometown club in recent weeks, although FourFourTwo understand that is unlikely as he seeks to break through at Craven Cottage where his contract runs until 2017.
United boss Mixu Paatelainen explained the decision to allow Taggart, alongside Reading loan signing Aaron Kuhl, to depart early.
"The bottom line was doing a favour for the boys," Paataleinan told STV.
"They found it difficult breaking into the starting XI with us, and if the player doesn't play then he is frustrated.
"In both cases, both at Fulham and Reading, there's a new management in place, or will be, and I felt it would be better for the boys to go back to their mother club and show the new management team what they can offer."
Stuart Gray is currently in interim charge at Fulham, with the club searching for a permanent manager.
The Cottagers are currently 17th on the Championship table after a 2-1 loss to Ipswich on Tuesday stretched their winless run to seven games.