BEN Surey has returned to Crystal Palace now his loan-spell has expired.

The 19-year-old midfielder arrived at the Camrose in October in the aftermath of Town's FA Cup exit at Brack-nell as one of manager Ernie Howe's promised new faces.

The tough-tackling player had his original loan-spell extended and he played 17 games, scoring a solitary goal - a spot-kick in the club's Bryco Cup third round exit to Ashford.

Surey said: "I have enjoyed my time here and I'd like to thank Ernie, Pete, the lads and fans for making me feel very welcome.

"It has been a good experience for me and will hopefully help me do well at Palace now I'm going back there." Town boss Ernie Howe said: "I think Ben has done well for us, although you always expect a bit more from a player coming from a professional club.

"We have thanked him for his efforts and wished him all the best for the future.

"Now he's gone I can look at the options I have in midfield, and we do have a few.

"Rob Kember can play in there, Barry Elmore did well on Saturday, while Toby Sumner is pushing again for a first team place after all his injuries."

Howe added it was only fair for players who have been on the fringes to be given a first-team opportunity after recent adverse results.

Steve Hemmings is one player who, as he targets a return to a Town defence that has come unstuck again recently, asked Howe about the playing situation on Saturday.

Hemmings was replaced at the back by Ricky Allaway in November and has been restricted to a place on the bench or brief appearance as a substitute since then.

Howe said: "I like it when players come and ask about when they are going to be playing again. It shows they've got something about them. I'd be more worried if they didn't.

"Steve's an honest lad and he's every right to come and say how he feels. It's gone against him a bit, but he's being patient. Now it's up to him to take his chance when it comes along."