ASHLEY NICHOLLS has given his clearest hint yet that his future lies away from the Reynolds Arena.

The Darlington midfielder is on loan at Third Division rivals Cambridge until the end of the season.

Nicholls joined Quakers in the summer of 2002 after he was released by home-town club, Ipswich, but has struggled to settle in the North-East.

In February, Quakers boss David Hodgson reluctantly allowed Nicholls to move closer to home with a temporary switch to the Us.

"I couldn't really handle it that far away from home," admitted Nicholls.

"I was playing every week and not playing too badly at Darlington so it's not a football reason I'm at Cambridge. It's more of a personal lifestyle decision."

Despite the departure of manager John Taylor last week, Nicholls is hopeful of sealing a permanent move under new boss Claude Le Roy.

"If the move's right for me and if things all go to plan then I would like to move home," said Nicholls.

"Obviously it's up to the management, but I'd like to move back home so it's a strong possibility."

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