Winger Boyd is a fans' favourite at London Road

George Boyd could make a surprise return to Peterborough United once his loan spell at Nottingham Forest ends.

The winger, 24, was expected to move permanently to the City Ground at the end of the season, but Posh boss Gary Johnson has suggested otherwise.

He told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "There's every chance he could return.

"He already knows I'd like him to stay. The supporters would like him to stay. It's a shame that he's gone up there and not played too many games."

Boyd made the switch to Billy Davies' Forest in March but since then has only started four games, amid speculation that the former Stevenage player is not at the top of Davies' shopping list for next season.

Johnson added: "If he goes anywhere, I personally can't see it being Forest."

And Johnson maintains Boyd would be happy to play League One football at London Road next season if no other offers came in for him.

He said: "He's told me face-to-face that [in those circumstances] he would give 100% and enjoy his football all the same.

"I'm hoping at the start of pre-season I can sit down and have a another chat with him.

"He's got another year on his contract so actually the club is in a position where it doesn't matter who comes in for him - he could still be here for the following season and would be out of contract at the end of next season."

Boyd is a fans' favourite at Peterborough thanks to his role in the club's back-to-back promotions in the past two seasons and his club record of 144 consecutive appearances.

606: DEBATE I'd be delighted to see Boyd return to London Road as long as we don't repeat the mistake of trying to build a team round him ExFleet

But with Posh's relegation assured, Johnson believes Boyd's name will be touted around other clubs.

"There could be people who have already been talking to him maybe and turned his head a little bit," said Johnson.

"Obviously he has advisers and they advise him differently on occasions and you're fighting against that a little bit.

"We've got to keep the core of the lads who got promotion to the Championship and George was a big part of that."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version