Shaun Wilkinson has made an early return to Albion following a fruitless loan spell with Chesterfield.

He cut short his stint with the Spireites in frustration at a lack of first team opportunities.

Wilkinson's loan did not officially end until today, but he watched Albion's match against Burnley last Saturday while Chesterfield were in action against Cheltenham.

The 21-year-old made just one substitute appearance during his time at Saltergate.

"I went up there to get some games," Wilkinson said. "I played in a reserve game and thought I was going to start then, but I didn't start or get on.

"I wondered what I was doing really, because I need to be playing games. I can play in the reserves here.

"They said to me they didn't need me on Boxing Day but they did on the Saturday because they had suspensions, so I think they were trying to use me in a way. I said I would rather come back. It has been a pain in the neck really."

Boss Steve Coppell is unhappy about the way Wilkinson was treated. "I take loan players as far as you can to play, not to make up a squad.

"I always say to whoever I loan from there is a role for him here and if he doesn't play it's because he loses form.

"As far as I am concerned the role is in the first team, not the bench. I think Shaun was under the impression that, although he might not start, over the course of the month he would get an opportunity.

"He has come back saying he didn't really get an opportunity. He is fairly disillusioned with it and I feel a bit let down by it.

"I am all for players going out on loan, but I think I will establish more directly with the manager whether he is there as a squad player or is he going to play."

Geoff Pitcher's month on loan to Dagenham and Redbridge was also a waste of time, although for different reasons.

Coppell said: "That just turned out to be a nonsense, because he had injuries at Dagenham and with the limit on loan players he had to get another loan player in and you can only play so many. It just never worked."

Adam Virgo's loan spell with Exeter has been extended to a second month after two starts and a substitute appearance, although he was FA Cup tied for today's prestige trip to Charlton.

Daniel Marney, also out on loan to Southend, ended the old year with his second appearance off the bench in a home defeat by Scunthorpe after starting in the draw at Cambridge United.

Meanwhile, Coppell is hoping the weather relents so that long-term injury victims Paul Kitson and Dean Blackwell get a run-out in the reserves.

Dean White's side visit East Preston in the Sussex Senior Cup on Monday, then tackle Luton in the Combination at Worthing 48 hours later.