GAVIN Kilkenny has been recalled from his loan spell at Championship side Stoke City before immediately being sent back out, joining League One Charlton until the end of the season.

Republic of Ireland under-21 international Kilkenny made just four appearances during his time at the Potteries, rocked by a medial collateral ligament tear that kept him out for three months.

Kilkenny featured 14 times last campaign as Cherries won promotion to the top-flight, the midfielder used more heavily prior to a busy January transfer window.

The 22-year-old links up again with Dean Holden, Charlton’s manager serving as interim Stoke boss at the start of the season.

Speaking to Charlton’s website, Kilkenny shared: “I’m delighted to be joining Charlton.

“It’s obviously a huge club and it’s a really great opportunity for me.

“I really enjoyed working with Dean Holden at Stoke, albeit briefly, and I want to repay the faith he has shown in me by bringing me here.

“Hopefully we can start pushing up the table to get this club back where it belongs.”

Holden added: “Gavin is a player I know well, having worked with him at Stoke.

“We are very fortunate we could get him, especially given the number of games he played in Bournemouth’s promotion campaign to the Premier League last season.

“He has got bags of energy, very good technical ability and a top class attitude.”

Stoke’s technical director Ricky Martin said: “Gavin has not had the opportunity to play as much first-team football for us as he would have wished but I would like to thank him for his efforts and wish him every success for the future.”