Mathias Ranegie's loan spell with Millwall has ended prematurely, with Lions boss Ian Holloway stating the striker was at the "wrong place at the wrong time".

But Ranegie will not be eligible for the Hornets until his temporary deal with Millwall has expired on January 1.

The 30-year-old failed to score in seven outings for Millwall and has only played 23 minutes since September, after several weeks out with a hamstring injury.

Holloway told the News At Den website: "He's a good fella but it's not worked out. He feels he was unlucky with his injury so I haven't got an issue with him at all.

"He's gone from Udinese to Watford and then to Millwall, and I think everything has caught up with him – it takes some time to get your head around that.

"He's a very good player but I don't think I took him at the right moment – for us or for him.

"The situation wasn't right so he's agreed to go back. He felt that was the right thing for him.

"I don't want anyone to think he's done wrong, it was probably a case of the wrong place at the wrong time for him."

Ranegie is fit again and was seen at the Golden Boys' London Colney training ground late last week.

On Thursday, head coach Slavisa Jokanovic said: "I need to find information about what his level is at this moment. In a few days we will know what we are going to do. That is all I can say because I have only had the opportunity to see him today. So it is still early for me to say anything about the situation."

Ranegie joined the Golden Boys in January from Udinese and signed a three-and-a-half year deal with the club.

The Sweden international was injured when he first arrived at Vicarage Road but went on to make ten appearances for Watford last season, scoring four times.