Millwall's caretaker manager Neil Harris wanted to keep striker Diego Fabbrini at the club but the decision was taken "out of their hands" by his parent club Watford, reports News At Den. 

Fabbrini was recalled to Vicarage Road just 90 minutes before the emergency loan window closed last Thursday and was swiftly moved to Birmingham City.

The Italian international had not started a game since the appointment of Harris but nevertheless he wanted to keep the striker at the club.

"Watford got in touch at 3.30pm, just before the deadline, to say they were recalling their player and sending him off to somewhere else because he was going to start games," said Harris to News At Den.

"We asked if he could stay with us but ultimately Diego decided that he wanted to be back on the other side of London, because of family reasons, and also that he thought his opportunities here would be fewer.

"The decision was taken out of our hands by Watford, which is fine because he is their player.

"We were slightly disappointed that they decided to call him back because we'd have liked to have kept him.

"We couldn't force the issue and make him stay, we could only ask the question. Watford made the decision and Diego went along with it because he thought he'd get more chances to play at Birmingham.

"We wish him all the best and thank him for what he's done for Millwall."

The 24-year-old joined Watford in 2013 from Udinese and has made 23 appearances for the Hornets scoring once.

But he has spent the majority of time at Vicarage Road out on loan will spells at Serie B side Siena, Millwall and now Birmingham City.

Fabbrini could be in line to make his Birmingham City debut on Good Friday when the Blues host Rotherham United at St Andrew's.

Gary Rowett's Birmingham City currently sit in 15th position in the Sky Bet Championship, having accumulated 47 points from 38 league games thus far this season.