Defender Duncan Idehen returned to parent club Bristol City last week having made 13 appearances for the Blues during his four-month loan spell.
The 20-year-old parted company with the Blues on good terms, with it being agreed that it was the best outcome for all parties.
“He wasn’t going to be getting too many minutes with the way things have gone in that area of the pitch and we have to bear in mind that meant he wasn’t particularly happy with that, which is fair enough,” manager Paul Simpson said.
“He didn’t want to be in that situation. I had a good chat to him last week and he’d spoken to Brian Tinnion at Bristol City to explain that he was feeling unhappy.
“He’d come here to play and, to be fair to Brian, he’d said to him that there were never any guarantees and that when you’re out on loan you have to earn the right.
“Unfortunately for Duncan, Jon Mellish has been a definite starter in nearly every game for us. He was going to give us cover for Jack Armer, but I realised very quickly that he wasn’t going to be a left wing back in the style that I wanted.
“He was there as cover for the centre back and I just felt there were other players ahead of him. When I found out he was unhappy about being here and not getting games - the last thing I want to do is make anybody’s life unhappy.
“I could have been really selfish and said no, you’re staying here until January and we’ll let you go then, but I don’t see the point in that.
“I and we need players at this club who are happy. He wasn’t disruptive in any way, he’s a really good fella, he went about his business properly and he worked hard.
“My opinion was that he hadn’t done enough to play in the team so we allowed him to go to let himself get settled back in at Bristol, and then they can make a decision on what they’re going to do in January with him.”
Showing full respect for the fact that the player just wanted to play, he added: “I’ve got no problem about that. The thing I say to players coming into our club, and also going out on loan, is there’s no guarantee you’re going to play.
“I never gave Duncan any assurances he would play. They’ve got to earn the right and show they’re better than the players in their position. Unfortunately for Duncan he didn’t show he was better than Jon Mellish, hasn’t shown me he was better than Corey Whelan or Morgan Feeney, or Ben Barclay for that matter.
“He’s just been unfortunate that we’ve had other players ahead of him. When the chance has come to play, I’ve chosen to play other players. That’s life. It’s a good education.
“Our players out on loan, Sam Fishburn has spent many days sat on the bench for Morpeth. Max Kilsby’s not a regular at Annan. Lewi Bell is a regular for Gretna, but it’s part of their education, they have to learn that you have to earn the right to play in the first team and do the business to stay in there as well.”