Brechin boss Darren Dods is hoping Dene Shields can leave the club on a high by helping them secure a priceless three points agonist Stenhousemuir this afternoon.
The 33-year-old joined City in the summer after five years living and playing in Malta.
However, after six months back in Scotland, he has now decided to return to the Mediterranean island with his family.
Dods admits Shields will be a big loss, especially as fellow front man Isaac Layne has had his loan ended by parent club Alloa.
The Glebe gaffer is trying to bring in reinforcements and has already added Lewis Spence from Dunfermline with Dods saying: “I am delighted to bring him in and he will be in our squad for the game at Stenny.
“I was hoping to have another couple in as well but I have hit a dead end with that at the moment.
“Isaac has returned to Alloa and this will be Dene Shields’ last game before he moves back to Malta.
“I had hoped to have Isaac until the end of the season and the new Alloa boss Jack Ross was open to that happening.
Dods added: “However, they lost two front men including Michael Chopra, to injury on January 2 and had to recall him.
“That though is the risk you take with loan signings as we found earlier in the season when David Bates was recalled by Raith.
“Isaac is Alloa’s player but you never know, we might be able to get him back at some point.
“Dene has done well for us since he recovered from an injury earlier in the season we have won four games out of eight when he has been in the side.
“But he has a partner and a wee boy and he was finding the cost of living here and accommodation in Edinburgh a struggle compared to Malta where he could have an apartment with a swimming pool for similar money.
“He gave it a go here for six months but he thinks it is best to go back to Malta and we won’t stand in his way.
“Hopefully, though he can go out on a high by helping us win at Stenny.”
Brechin will be without the injured Ross Perry while Jonathan Tiffoney is suspended.