Dougie Freedman on Jacob Butterfield: "They need to want to stay here."

One of the details that went missing as Jacob Butterfield ended his loan at Bolton Wanderers was the fact that it was cut short. It was a bit of news that wasn't publicized and no one seemed to make a big deal of it, whether it was because they didn't notice or didn't care is another thing.

Jacob Butterfield's initial one-month loan with Bolton ended on December 8. The next morning, the club announced that Norwich City and Bolton had agreed to another month at the Reebok for Butterfield. That would mean that Butterfield's loan should have gone until January 9th but, instead, the midfielder headed east to Norwich on January 2, wishing Bolton luck in his rear-view mirror.

Manager Dougie Freedman spoke about the decision to cut ties with Butterfield in the Bolton News:

"The kid wanted to play week in, week out and I could not guarantee him that.

"With him not starting as many games, for different reasons, we shook hands and he goes back to Norwich. I just feel right now we need people who want to be here.

"They need to want to stay here.

"And if they don't and they don't want to come and sign - no problem."

In his loan spell at Bolton, Butterfield eight appearances, four of which were starts. He was an unused substitute on three occasions. Upon his return, he made an appearance for Norwich City in the FA Cup against Peterborough United. Butterfield played 19 minutes as the Canaries walked out of London Road 3-0 winners.