Kilmarnock's on-loan defender Gordon returns to Chelsea

Kilmarnock were keen to extend Gordon's loan spell beyond January

Ben Gordon is heading back to Chelsea after the Stamford Bridge club ended his loan deal at Kilmarnock.

The 19-year-old left-back has been a key part of Killie's rise to fourth place in the Scottish Premier League under Finnish manager Mixu Paatelainen.

The Rugby Park boss said after Monday's 2-0 win over St Mirren: "We tried to lengthen his loan spell but Chelsea want to put him on loan in England.

"It's their decision, but unfortunately he is not staying longer here."

Last week Gordon, having said how much he was enjoying playing first-team football at Kilmarnock, had expressed the hope that the clubs could agree to extend the duration of his loan.

But his loan period expired on Monday and he leaves Ayrshire having contributed to a run of seven wins and two draws in Kilmarnock's last 10 SPL games.