Nick Powell to return to Manchester United after disappointing Leicester City loan

Leicester City will terminate Nick Powell's loan deal and return the player to Manchester United, according to reports.

Powell, 20, has featured just three times for Nigel Pearson's side this season despite their struggles in the Premier League.

According to the Daily Telegraph, the player's poor timekeeping and disappointing attitude to training has infuriated his manager who is now prepared to cancel his deal, despite concerns over the fitness of David Nugent and Jamie Vardy's upcoming suspension.

Powell, hailed as Paul Scholes' successor by Sir Alex Ferguson who signed him from Crewe Alexandra, has started just one game this season against MK Dons in the Capital One Cup.

The report suggests United will immediately look for another loan deal for Powell, with Neil Lennon's Bolton Wanderers reportedly interested.

The England Under-21 international struck 14 goals on loan for Wigan Athletic in the Championship last season but failed to force his way into Louis van Gaal's plans at Old Trafford during pre-season.

Upon his arrival at Old Trafford in the summer of 2012, Ferguson christened the youngster the heir to Scholes' throne. Such a comparison was reinforced on Powell's debut when he netted a fabulous strike worthy of the former midfielder's greatest hits collection.

Dario Gradi, the man credited with Crewe's excellent development of young talent over the years including Powell, was inclined to agree with the former United boss.

"I asked Dario if Nick could be a central midfielder. Dario thinks that's his position and Nick does too so we're all in accord. We hope he'll be a central midfield player and that's where we'll develop him," Ferguson said two years ago.