Plymouth manager Ian Foster was shocked to learn that one of his loan players was leaving this month.

Aston Villa's decision to recall Kaine Kesler-Hayden has surprised many in the sport, including Foster.

The right-back played 24 times for Plymouth so far this season, making 19 starts.

Now it appears Kesler-Hayden will have the chance to compete for a first team spot at Villa under Unai Emery.

"Aston Villa have assured us that he's going back to fight for his place and we wish him well," Foster told reporters.

"He's a lovely kid and he was really disappointed to be honest."

"I don't mean that he doesn't want to play for Aston Villa, of course he does, but I think he was just enjoying it so much down here, playing regularly and we see Kaine as someone we could help develop. But that's the risk you run and he's gone back to his parent club, and we hope that he gets game time in the Premier League and in Europe."

Foster added: "Kaine's made a lot of friends here, it was a really tight-knit social group that he was in, so I think it was a little bit of shock as well, I don't think either party saw it coming.

"Whatever happens we wish him well - if he plays at Aston Villa this season brilliant, that's great, that's what we're here for, if he goes out on loan somewhere else that's just part and parcel of football and we wish him well."