Michael Kightly returned to parent club Wolves this week but Sean Dyche has not ruled out a return for the winger in the future.

The 25-year-old enjoyed a successful stay at Vicarage Road, starting 11 games and netting three goals following his October switch.

Dyche said a further extension was not on the cards though as the move was about Kightly gaining fitness.

“The Kightly deal was always what it was going to be,” he said.

“Who knows in the future but at this moment it was always going to be getting him up and running, match fit, sharp, allowing him to do good work for us – which I think it is clear he has done – and also sharp enough ready for Mick (McCarthy) to use him again.

He added: “Who knows in the future but for now that was always the plan.”

Another player returning home this week was Craig Beattie although the Swansea City striker enjoyed a less successful stay with the club.

“The simple fact was as soon as he came in he got injured. In that time, we swung results around and started winning,” said the manager.

“It wasn’t ideal for him obviously but in a strange way it was ideal for us because when he came in, we started scoring goals.”

This week has also seen a number of the club’s youngsters extend their time away from Vicarage Road.

Piero Mingoia joined League One Brentford for a month yesterday (Thursday), linking up with fellow Hornet Dale Bennett who returns to Griffin Park after his initial stay was cut short by injury.

Chez Isaac has joined Tamworth for a month while Rene Gilmartin and Gavin Massey extended their time with League One Yeovil Town.

Britt Assombalonga and Connor Smith will remain with Wealdstone while left-back Tom James has extended his contract with Watford until the end of the season.

“I have said several times that the reality of football is being in a first team. If you are not in ours then we want to get these players out there playing,” explained Dyche.

“Hopefully, we are looking for positive experiences, as in playing every week and learning from the chance.

“But sometimes, the occasions when they don’t work out are just as important, because it makes players aware that for one, it is not all as glorious as it is at Watford, because we feel we have a nice environment here with a good training ground, a good fan base and a good feel to what we do here.”

He added: “But also the reality that it is not that easy when you go on loan to a lower division club and you just rip it up. It is not that easy.”