Birmingham City manager Lee Clark has admitted defeat in the battle to bring Fulham centre-back Dan Burn back to the club on loan.
Burn was recalled at the start of the month and played in both FA Cup games against Norwich City. He was originally to return to Birmingham, but Fulham head coach Rene Meulensteen now appears to want to keep him in London.
"It doesn't look like Dan is coming back and he is going to stay at Fulham," Clark told Birmingham's official website. "He's been playing too well, which is a double-edged sword. He's gone in and played against Norwich again in the Cup replay and he was outstanding.
"I spoke to Rene and he was really impressed with him. The Premier League is where Dan wants to be and that's where I knew he'd end up going. We've obviously been thanked by Fulham because we helped him with his development but it's not a good scenario for us.
"If I was in Rene's position I'd probably feel the same. They're his players and if they come back and they're in a good situation, you've got to accept that."
Burn spent last season on loan in League One with Yeovil Town and has yet to make a Premier League appearance.
