Arsenal recall Rotherham United loanee Brooke Norton-Cuffy and send him to Coventry City
The right-back, 18, impressed for swathes of his loan stint in South Yorkshire, but there had been suggestions that he could return to the London club in the New Year and that the Gunners would invoke their recall clause inserted into the original deal.
Norton-Cuffy made 21 appearances for the Millers after joining the club last summer, but four of his last six appearances had come from the bench after an eye-catching opening first third of the season with the Championship outfit.Speaking about Norton-Cuffy's situation on Thursday, Millers chief Matt Taylor, whose side visit Ipswich Town in an FA Cup third-round tie on Saturday afternoon, said: "It is still my feeling and belief it will be down to Brooke and Arsenal.
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Hide Ad"He is featuring in a bit-part at the moment and he's obviously played some good games this season and exposed to some incredible experience for a young player.
"While for whatever reason, he has not started our last few games, he is still a big part of our plans.
"But if Arsenal and the player feel there's better opportunities elsewhere, then we will understand and accept that.
"We are constantly looking at - not how we can free up space - but how many loan spaces we have got in the squad and have they are used and the actual value we get on that pitch in relation to every game.”
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Hide AdNorton-Cuffy has now linked up with ex-Millers boss Mark Robins at Coventry.
Robins said: “We are delighted to welcome Brooke to Coventry City on loan until the end of the season.
“He is a strong and powerful wing-back with great pedigree and attitude, who will add further quality to our squad.
“Brooke is a player who we tried to bring in during the Summer transfer window, so we are really pleased to have the opportunity to add him now and are looking forward to working with him.”
Millers keeper Viktor Johansson has signed a contract extension until the summer of 2024.