STRIKER Josh O’Hanlon’s loan spell at National League outfit Chester has been cut short.

The 19-year-old joined the Blues on a month-long temporary deal just before the closure of the transfer window.

However, Dublin-born O’Hanlon struggled to make an impression in defeats to Forest Green and Tranmere and was not in the squad for the draw against Grimsby on Tuesday.

And Chester boss Steve Burr revealed that the return to fitness of forwards Craig Hobson and Ross Hannah had hastened O’Hanlon’s departure.

Burr said: “With us having Hobby and Ross returning to fitness, we’ve sent Josh back to Bournemouth.

“He did okay for us but I think he didn’t really hit the ground running as we would have wanted him to. With Ross and Hobby back now he was surplus to requirements, really.

“I didn’t want him hanging about and not being involved so he’s gone back.”

Cherries paid around £50,000 to sign O’Hanlon from League of Ireland club Longford Town in January last year, with the youngster penning a three-and-a-half year deal.

O’Hanlon has since spent time on loan at Oxford City, Poole Town and York City and Chester.

Burr was speaking to the Chester Chronicle.