LOAN striker Olly Thomas has returned to Bristol City from Newport County AFC.

The 18-year-old was signed by the Exiles in August after the loss of fellow Robins prospect Seb Palmer-Houlden, 19, to a hamstring injury.

Thomas’ planned spell in the National League South with Yeovil was cut short and he made nine appearances without a goal for County, with a solitary start against Bristol Rovers in the EFL Trophy.

Palmer-Houlden, who suffered a hamstring injury against Premier League Brentford in the Carabao Cup, has returned with a pair of substitute appearances.

That has led to Thomas heading back to the West Country with his parent club now deciding the next move for the striker after a first real taste of senior football.

“He has gone back to Bristol as per the agreement after covering Seb,” said County manager Graham Coughlan. “We thank Bristol City for that and Olly for his time.

“They were first class when Seb picked up his injury, they suggested the idea of Olly covering and it worked out.”

The Exiles have top scorer Will Evans, Omar Bogle and Palmer-Houlden as frontline striking options plus teenage forward Kiban Rai and Nathan Wood, who has been used primarily as an attacking midfielder.