Sam McCallum has returned to Coventry on loan from Norwich City.

Villarreal loanee Xavi Quintiila looks to be Daniel Farke’s first choice at left-back so the 20-year-old has returned to his former club to ensure his development doesn’t stall.

McCallum was a major part of Coventry winning promotion from League One under Mark Robins last season, sealing a permanent switch to Norwich in January in a deal reportedly worth up to £3.5million but remaining on loan initially.

He featured regularly during pre-season and played 86 minutes of the 3-1 loss at Luton in the first round of the League Cup but has not been on the bench for either of City’s league matches so far.

The loan allows him to play Championship football this season, with the Sky Blues losing 2-1 at Bristol City on the opening weekend but winning 3-2 at home against QPR on Friday.

McCallum played for the Norwich U23s on Monday, playing all of a 3-0 home win over Reading in Premier League Two.

The former Gillingham trainee signed a long-term contract through until 2024 when he joined. He will not be able to face his parent club this season, with season-long loans able to finished early during the January transfer window if required.

Coventry boss, former Canaries striker Robins, told his club’s website: “We are delighted to welcome Sam back to the club on loan until the end of the season.

“Sam is a player with great ability and potential who was an important part of our League One winning side, so when this opportunity came about we were very pleased to be able bring Sam back.

“He is a great lad, and his qualities both defensively and going forward will add to our squad significantly in the Championship. We look forward to working with Sam again between now and the end of the season.”

The decision may come as a surprise to City supporters, after seeing Jamal Lewis sold to Newcastle for an initial £15m recently, leaving Quintilla as the only recognised senior left-back - whose deal is set to be made permanent if promotion can be achieved.

However, Max Aarons and Ben Godfrey have both played on the left previously, while summer signings Bali Mumba and Gibson are also understood to be seen as options and Marco Stiepermann has also played at left-back under Farke previously.

Sam Byram had impressed at left-back in the Premier League before his hamstring injury in February, although Daniel Farke revealed on Friday that further surgery had been needed, which will keep the former West Ham man out until January.

In the academy ranks, Belgium Under-19 international Rob Nizet would appear to be the chief option, with Caleb Richards loaned out to National League North side Kidderminster Harriers.

McCallum joins a large loan stable of over 15 players, with some younger players also at lower levels of non-league and with recent arrivals Melvin Sitti and Danel Sinani also understood to be close to a loan move to the Belgian top flight, as City slim down a very big squad.

The international transfer window closes at 11pm on Monday October 5 but an extension for domestic deals continues until 5pm on Friday, October 16.