Liverpool’s Mikel San Jose May End Athletic Bilbao Loan Early - Agent

Mikel San Jose could cut short his loan spell with Athletic Club de Bilbao and return to Liverpool in January.

The 20-year-old Spain Under-21 defender chose to return to San Mames in the summer after rising through the club's youth ranks before being signed by Rafael Benitez in 2007.

Having been told that he should spend a year on loan gaining experience, San Jose had hoped Athletic would play him regularly, but instead he has made just one appearance this term.

With reports suggesting that clubs such as Wolverhampton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers would be interested in taking him on a temporary basis, the youngster looks set to leave Bilbao.

"His patience is being pushed and if nothing changes he will leave Bilbao in the New Year," agent Jesus Medina was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

"We do not understand Bilbao's persistence to strike a deal over the summer if they had no plans to play San Jose.

"This situation is damaging to his career. He is a professional and does not want to cause controversy, but he is suffering at the moment."