Sunderland have cut short Connor Wickham's loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday two days before it was due to expire.
The 20-year-old striker was set to return to his parent club following Tuesday's Championship match against Millwall, but now is on his way back to the Stadium of Light possibly ahead of another move away.
Wickham's exit will be a blow to Wednesday fans, who have seen him score eight goals in 12 league starts and last week were told by new manager Stuart Gray that a loan extension was expected.
Sunderland's decision to bring him back early suggests that they may have struck up a deal with another club for his services.
Nottingham Forest have been linked with a permanent move for the former Ipswich Town man, who has failed to make a first-team impact at Sunderland since his £8m move from Suffolk in 2011.