MARK Maley's extended loan at York City has been cut short by injury, the Evening Press can confirm.

As reported earlier this month, the former England youth captain suffered a thigh injury while on Minstermen duty and returned to Sunderland for treatment.

Although the injury is not as serious as the thigh problem which kept him out for a lengthy period last season, City boss Terry Dolan said Maley will not be rejoining the Third Division club.

With under a week before transfer deadline day and less than a month before the end of the season Dolan added he was not looking to bring in any fresh blood, despite Maley's return to the Stadium of Light freeing up a loan space at Bootham Crescent.

Maley, 21, made 17 appearances for City and was due to stay until the end of the season with fellow Black Cat Michael Proctor.

Maley said: "The thigh muscle has ruptured again. It's not as bad as last season and shouldn't take as long to get right, but the clubs have agreed to end the loan because I won't be available for a while.

"It has been good down there for me. York's obviously no Sunderland, but they've got a good experienced squad and it was brilliant playing regular first team football.

"I think I was playing well and it gave me some very valuable experience.

"Unfortunately, the injury's cut things short. I'll get treatment here and hopefully I can get a reserve game or two in before the end of the season and then come back next season fighting for a place with Sunderland.

"I've got two years left on my contract and if I want to make a career here I've got to stay fit and make an impression."

Updated: 10:41 Saturday, March 23, 2002