After a largely disappointing spell, Reading striker Dave Mooney has returned to his parent club

The striker, who joined on a 28-day loan from the Royals, has had rotten luck since arriving at EP, after his first two matches were postponed due to poor weather and he suffered a dead leg on his debut.

After returning to the starting elevenfor Saturday's derby reverse at Oldham, Mooney has succumbed to injury once again and Jim Gannon has agreed that the Irishman should return to the Madejski Stadium a week earlier than planned for treatment.

County's other loan player, Robbie Threlfall - who made a sub appearance on Boundary Park at the weekend - has a week left of his 28-day deal and will be eligible to face both Tranmere tomorrow and Hereford at the weekend before going back to Liverpool.