NEIL Warnock says Hayden Coulson's loan move to Ipswich Town was the player's choice and he could do little to keep him at the club this season. 

Coulson, 23, has joined the League One side on a season-long loan deal from Boro with Warnock's side short of options on the left-hand side. Marc Bola is the only left-sided full-back at the club and is still battling back to full fitness after a hernia problem.

After coming through the academy ranks on Teesside, Coulson has gone on to make 49 appearances and was a regular under former Boro boss Jonathan Woodgate.  

It was always going to be a tall order for Coulson to dislodge Bola from the left-back positon in the side and the Boro boss admitted he wanted to move to get more game time. 

“I didn’t really have much choice in that if I’m honest" Warnock told the media this morning.

"Hayden wanted to go for a season and I think Cooky (Paul Cook) was ringing him every minute of the day so there’s not a lot you can do.

"I’ve just told him listen you just don’t know in football. Go have a season where you can get a lot of games under your belt hopefully and then come back here and go again.

"Because he’s a local lad that wants to do well and you never know, the opportunity might still be there so I just think he’s got to and play games now."

Like Lewis Wing, Warnock has left he door open for Coulson to make the return following his loan spell in Suffolk. He has another two years on his contract at he club.