Chelsea: Michael Hector and Lucas Piazon return from Reading loan spells

Michael Hector and Lucas Piazon have returned to Chelsea from their loan spells at Reading, the club have confirmed.

Hector, 23, signed for Chelsea from the Royals on transfer deadline day last September, but returned to the Berkshire club on a season-long loan. He was joined by 22-year-old Piazon, who has made 27 appearances for the Championship side, scoring five goals.

Both players would have been available for Reading's clash with Preston on Saturday, but have been recalled early to help them "integrate back into the Chelsea squad," ahead of the arrival of new manager Antonio Conte this summer.

"Reading Football Club can confirm that loanees Michael Hector and Lucas Piazon have this week returned to parent club Chelsea a week prior to the conclusion of their loan spells in Berkshire," a statement read.

"The Royals have kept in close contact with Chelsea since loan terms for the duo were signed at the end of last summer's transfer window, discussing the pair's progress, welfare and personal development throughout their respective spells at Madejski Stadium and both players and the two clubs agreed that a return to Stamford Bridge would best benefit Michael and Lucas in helping them to integrate back into the Chelsea squad ahead of the start of the 2016-17 Premier League season."

Hector and Piazon will not be eligible for Guus Hiddink's first-team for the remaining three games of Chelsea's season.

However, Reading manager Brian McDermott thanked Chelsea for sending both players to the Madejski Stadium. "I'd like to thank Chelsea Football Club for letting us have Lucas and Michael on loan this season," he said.

"Michael is a player I have known for a long time now and his is an amazing story. He has been at Reading for six years now and after so many loan spells with lower league teams, he has now found himself at one of the biggest clubs in the world. Another amazing story that football tends to throw at you."