John Halls has gone back to Reading after his month-long loan spell at Crystal Palace ended at the weekend.

Eagles boss Neil Warnock decided against extending the 25-year-old's loan because he could only get him for three months rather than the rest of the season, though he did admit he might come back in the future.

He said: "I spoke to him and I spoke to Steve Coppell as well but because we had already had him for a months loan we couldn't have him for the rest of the season, only for 93 days. With that in mind I wouldn't really want to take him until March to cover the rest of the season.

"Whilst we are happy at the moment and comfortable with what we have got, there could be a situation that develops where we need another body in."

Warnock also said that fellow right-back Danny Butterfield putting pen to paper on a new two-year deal this weekend restricted Halls' chances of a first-team place.

He said: "John said he enjoyed it here but we have committed ourselves to Danny now. We've made him a good offer and he has accepted it and so you have got to move forward and think that's the one who plays. Now we will look elsewhere in different positions."

Halls made five appearances during his loan stay.