Young Town central defender Chris Hogg has returned to Boston United having reportedly walked out on the the Pilgrims earlier in the week. Town boss Joe Royle has told Hogg to remain with the York Street club until his loan is up at the end of the season.

Hogg joined the Pilgrims on loan back in October after being made available on a free transfer by the Blues. The 18-year-old, bought from York City in 2001 for a fee which could rise as high as £150,000, remains in contract with Town until June 2005.

The England U19 defender apparently left Boston earlier this week - missing a reserve game in the process - and made his way back to Town. Manager Joe Royle immediately told him to return to the Division Three club and to stay there until the end of the season.

Boston recently sacked former Town full-back Neil Thompson as manager and are set to be taken over by former boss Steve Evans when his suspension from Football League management ends on March 3rd. Evans was banned in 2002 due to financial irregularities at the Lincolnshire club.

Hogg isn't the first Town loanee to walk out on Boston this season. At Christmas striker Sam Morrow returned home to Northern Ireland without permission and subsequently had his loan prematurely curtailed and a rap on the knuckles from Town.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls