Patrick Bamford returns to Chelsea

Promising striker Patrick Bamford has returned to parent club Chelsea following termination of his loan contract at Crystal Palace.

The 22-year-old joined the Eagles on a season-long loan deal in the summer, with the view of earning valuable first-team experience.

However, he struggled to make himself a regular under Alan Pardew, and was restricted to just six appearances off the substitutes' bench.

The Mail reports that the talented centre-forward will now head back to the Blues, who played out a no-score draw against Manchester United on Monday.

It is added that Bamford could prefer a loan return to the Championship with table-toppers Middlesbrough keen on signing him for a second spell.