SWINDON Town have been dealt a significant blow on transfer deadline day after reports emerged that Kaine Kesler-Hayden will not be returning to the club on loan.

According to The Athletic's Gregg Evans, the Aston Villa youngster is set to join Milton Keynes Dons until the end of the season instead.

Hopes had remained high that Town would be able to bring the talented teenager back to The County Ground after he was recalled by new Villa manager Steven Gerrard earlier in the window.

It was thought Gerrard wanted to see whether Kesler-Hayden was ready for first-team opportunities or whether he might benefit from further time out on loan.

But when the Villains brought in former Arsenal defender Calum Chambers on a three-and-a-half-year contract a few days ago, Gerrard's men opened talks with a number of clubs who were interested in taking Kesler-Hayden in to further enhance his football education.

#MKDons are working on a few deals today.
One is Kaine Kesler on loan from #AVFC #STFC wanted to re-sign the RB but he's heading to the promotion-chasing L1 side.

More @TheAthleticUKhttps://t.co/BwN2LYo5HE

One of those was thought to be Town, and given Kesler-Hayden's positive experience during the first half of the year, Garner's men were initially high on the list.

However, it appears Villa have decided a step up would suit their player best, and a deal with MK Dons is set to be announced later today.

Both Ben Chorley and Ben Garner now have a little more than 13 hours to find a suitable replacement.

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