Aberdeen have ended Zak Vyner's Pittodrie stay and sent him back to Bristol City.
Vyner has impressed under Derek McInnes this season and has made 18 appearances in all competitions but an injury has meant that the manager has made the call to cut his deal short.
The versatile defender has played in a variety of positions for Aberdeen and even earned a run in midfield after a raft of injuries hit before Christmas.
The Englishman is currently nursing a shoulder injury he picked up last month but the Robins believe he will be back next month to help them in their bid to reach the Premier League.
And a return for Vyner means City would be inclined to send rising star Taylor Moore out on loan during the second half of the season.
The Aberdeen boss has continually insisted he won't welcome bids for star pair Scott McKenna and Sam Cosgrove before Friday's deadline.
