Swansea City have recalled Morgan Whittaker from his loan spell with Plymouth Argyle.
The versatile attacker joined the Pilgrims on a season-long loan deal in the summer and has enjoyed a fine campaign at Home Park thus far.
Indeed, Whittaker has netted nine times in total for Steven Schumacher's side - who currently occupy top spot in League One.
And on the third day of the January transfer window, Swansea have officially confirmed their decision to cut Whittaker's stint with Plymouth short.
It comes after Russell Martin suggested that the club's owners were keen to bring Whittaker back to the Swansea.com Stadium ahead of the second-half of the 2022/23 season.
When asked if there was scope for Whittaker's loan at Home Park to be cut short, Martin responded: "I didn't think there was but I think there probably is because the ownership group and Josh [Marsh] and Julian [Winter] have an opinion on that with Morgan. It has to be imminent because of the clause in the loan. There's been a lot of conversation about it. If he comes back, he'll be welcomed into the group.
"He has been playing at Plymouth in what is probably the most competitive position on the pitch for us, with Olivier Ntcham, Luke Cundle, Ollie Cooper, Jay Fulton, Joel Piroe when he plays there. I think it's a really tough position to get in but, if he does come back, he comes back with the mentality that he wants to fight and get in the team and we'll have to take it from there. I don't have a definitive answer for you on that.
"He's done brilliantly so if he comes back, hopefully he can build on that momentum and we'll see where it takes him here. I think his preference would be stay and play football where he's guaranteed every week, but there's a bigger picture. He's our asset and there's a bigger picture in terms of what Josh and Julian see in terms of his value and what he might be able to add here. I'm quite relaxed about it either way."
Commenting on the move, Plymouth's director of football, Neil Dewsnip, said: “We are obviously disappointed that Morgan’s loan has been cut short. He was enjoying his football tremendously, and we felt we were providing the best possible environment for him to develop and contribute.
“We did everything we could to retain Morgan for the duration of the loan as initially agreed, but it was not to be. Morgan loved his football here, which is a testament to Steven Schumacher and the club as a whole for our approach to player care, and we hope he can continue to build on the promise he has shown here.
“The recruitment department at the club plans for any eventuality, and we are already well underway with our January operations, as is clear by the additions of Ben Waine and Saxon Earley.
“Argyle is an exciting club to play for right now, and a brilliant place for talented young players to come and improve, as Morgan has evidenced. We are confident that, thanks to the backing of the Board, our additions in January will ensure that we are not knocked off course by the disappointing loss of Morgan.”
Whittaker will be given the chance to prove his worth at the Swans' Fairwood training ground, although the 21-year-old could yet be sold as the club look to raise funds to bring in other targets.
It comes after Fin Stevens was recalled by Brentford, while defender Brandon Cooper has joined Forest Green Rovers on loan for the remainder of the current campaign.
Head coach Martin remains determined to bolster his squad options this month, with Rotherham United's Chiedozie Ogbene being a prime target.
The Swans are also keen to improve their wing-back options, although there could well be further exits, with Jamie Paterson and Michael Obafemi among those who could depart this month.
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