KURT WILLOUGHBY has been recalled by AFC Fylde after his one-month loan spell with York City.

His goalscoring start in City colours was enough to impress Fylde manager Jim Bentley who will now utilise the striker in an important few games for the Coasters in the National League.

Speaking on Willoughby’s departure, Steve Watson told York's website: “As I’ve said all along it’s been completely out of our hands, Jim honest about that all along, he said can we do a month originally and see how it goes and obviously it’s went well with Kurt.

“It’s coincided with them needing him back, and I totally understand – that’s the problem when you are in the loan market. I haven’t done a lot of loans since I have been here because it feels like you get a team together and a little style of play going, and you maybe have to change it.

“He’s done great for us and I think we can all admit that it has worked for both parties.

“If anything, he will be in a better position, match fit and ready to go back and play for his own club.”

The England ‘C’ International scored three goals in four appearances for City – notably notching a brace in the 4-2 victory over Chester.

He partnered Dan Maguire up front in Saturday’s 1-0 win against Kidderminster. Maguirescored the only goal of the game just seconds into the final 45 minutes to give City all three points at Aggborough.

Watson added: “I thought it was maybe a bit harsh on Jordan (Burrow), the way that I had to do things on Saturday, but I knew it was a very good chance it would be Kurt’s last game and the last chance to give Dan (Maguire) the minutes and that last little bit of match fitness going forward

“(Dan’s) got vital match minutes in and he feels good at the minute, he isn’t feeling anything that he has done previously after games so if there’s a plus point to Kurt going back is fact that hopefully Dan comes back to fire on all cylinders.”

Speaking on the possibility of bringing in a replacement for Willoughby, Watson said: “I sent Macaulay (Langstaff) on loan to get some games as well while Kurt was here in the hope that he will come back the way he did last season off the back of a loan at a similar time of the season.

“With Kurt going back it is looking likely that Macaulay will come back after his month as well unless something between now and then crops up.

“We have got our feelers out on quite a few players but nothing that I think is going to be imminent. If something happens to drop between now and then it would be great but as I’ve said after Saturday’s game, I am more than happy to be going through to the rest of the season with what I’ve got.

“I’m not looking as far forward as permanent signings for next season because there’s still so much to be done this season. My full focus now is getting as many wins as we can between now and the end of April and seeing where that takes us.”

A spokesman for the club added: "We’d like to thank Kurt for his service to the club and wish him well for the remainder of the season."