TOM Kennedy could be set for a return to parent club Rochdale, just three weeks into a three-month loan move to Bury.

The 29-year-old Bury-born left-back, who played more than 150 games for the Shakers after kicking off his career at the club, returned for a second spell on October 23.

At the time of signing manager David Flitcroft said he targeted the former Barnsley player for his “leadership qualities” in the dressing room as well has his “Championship quality”.

He made his debut in a 0-0 draw at Southend, helping the promotion hopefuls end a run of three straight defeats away from home.

But he has only gone on to make one more start and one substitute appearance, and was left out of the squad altogether for Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Morecambe.

Flitcroft explained his absence in the post-match press conference.

“Tom Kennedy has been away from the club for a few days but we will get back into that on Monday,” he said, admitting that there was a possibility his loan move could be cut short.

“It is just something we are looking at at the minute with TK so I can’t divulge too much at the minute.”

It was revealed at the time of signing that Kennedy’s loan had been arranged with a view to a permanent move.

But fellow left-back Chris Hussey has since moved ahead of Kennedy in the pecking order, starting only his fourth match of the season at Morecambe.

Bury also have Joe Widdowson as further cover in the position, while Danny Mayor or Tom Soares have been favoured on the left flank in a more attacking wing-back role for home matches.