Ryan Smith's return confirmed

Leicester City today confirmed the story we ran a week ago, that loanee left-winger Ryan Smith has returned to Arsenal.

Manager Rob Kelly said: 'The reason he came here in the first place was for first-team football. In our present situation we are fighting for our lives and that is not the best thing for a young player.

'We could not guarantee Ryan would get the involvement he wanted, so we felt it was best that he go back to Arsenal.

'I am sure he will do well and we wish him all the best.'

Confirmation of Smith's departure brought a mixed reaction from fans.

Respected Foxestalk posted Ricey said 'I'm cheesed off about this, the excuse Kelly has given is utter rubbish. He was our best winger, relegation fight or not.

Kelly has had it in for him as soon as he took over and he never gave him a proper chance. We've just handed back a quality player, gutted.

The thing is, although we've won four games out of seven under Kelly but that doesn't mean we've performed perfectly? There is always room for improvement. One of those areas that could be improved is on the wings.

Phube Fox added: I'm also quite annoyed with this, as Smith was the only player in the team who could genuinely excite the crowd.

Okay say his final ball wasn't killer, but a game like Hull's last sat was crying out for any decent, tricky wing play!

Someone who could occupy two of the opposition's defenders would be really useful now that we have Hume and Fryatt on top form!

Let's hope Andy Welsh (if he even starts) can at least provide either the wing play or the killer ball otherwise what is the point of this switch?

Bertfox said: Get over it. Yes he was good but he also had a big time Charlie attitude and in this division with our current plight we can't have this.

I'm sure I'm going to echo many people's words here by saying he wasn't ever going to come here permantly, he had only a handful of games where he reached his potential.

I'm a little upset he's gone but not as upset as I have been about other players who have left us.

This is football, players move on. He was only brought here in the first place to help us until the end of the season.

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