Monday 23 March 2015 12:35, UK
Hartlepool's on-loan striker Ryan Bird has been recalled by parent club Cambridge.
The news will come as a blow to Pools as Bird, 27, has played a key role in the three-game winning run that has lifted them to within one point of safety at the foot of League Two. Boss Ronnie Moore was keen to extend Bird's loan spell, but the player tweeted on Monday morning that he was heading back to the R Costings Abbey Stadium. Bird said: "Players, fans & staff at HUFC, thank you for having me, it has been a pleasure, I've loved every minute of it #NSD #TheGreatEscape. "The decision for me to stay was totally out of hands! Good luck for the rest of the season." Bird arrived at Pools last month and has scored twice in six games, in last month's home win against AFC Wimbledon and the recent victory at Oxford.
