Neville Kneville said:
Is it a rule that you wouldn't be able to recall a player from a season long loan even if you made an agreement with the club concerened re playing time etc ?
Yes. FA rules say season-long loans are permanent and can't be revoked, even if both teams are happy to agree it and regardless of whether they try to insert such a provision in their loan contract. The FA doesn't really care what the two teams say, they insist that the loan continues - it may sound pointless but I'm pretty sure it's designed to stop big clubs from bullying smaller clubs into releasing players that the parent club wants back but doesn't really need. If you recall, this is the situation that forced us to sign Marton Fulop back in 2010 - Brum were reportedly willing to let Hart return to City, but the FA vetoed it.