Motherwell have confirmed their season-long loan deal for striker Louis Moult has been severed, in agreement with Burton Albion.
The striker returned to the League One club during the World Cup break to assess an ongoing ankle injury, which now looks like it may require further work.
A statement issued by the club said: "We have exercised a clause to end the loan agreement this January, with the search for replacements already well underway."
Boss Steven Hammell told the club's website: "Louis is a legend at Motherwell and we are gutted it didn't quite work out the way we had all hoped.
"Whilst it was clear whenever Louis played that he has the fantastic quality that we all rememb er, he was playing with a lot of pain, which got progressively worse.
"He will need to try and get that rectified.
"From our point of view, we have identified and been working on alternatives that we hope will be with us soon.
"January is obviously a tricky month, but a lot of work has been undertaken so far that we hope will benefit the squad for the second half of the season."
Moult made seven appearances on his return to Fir Park, scoring once.
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