Jota returning to Brentford in January

Popular Spanish midfielder Jota will return to Brentford in the New Year.

The Bees have taken up the option to cut short early his 18-month loan at La Liga side Eibar.

Jota will not be available for the Championship game against Birmingham City on Monday but will return to the club ahead of the FA Cup third round tie with Eastleigh on 7 January.

The 25-year-old joined Eibar at the start of 2016, having agreed an option to extend his contract at Griffin Park.

That would see his current deal, which expires in the summer, run to the end of the 2017-18 campaign if the club choose to activate it.

Jota joined the Bees in August 2014 from Celta Vigo for an undisclosed fee and scored 11 goals in 46 games in his first season.

But an ankle injury sustained on the opening day of the 2015-16 season ruled him out for around four months and he made just five appearances for the Bees last season before returning to Spain for personal reasons.

During his year at Eibar he played 18 La Liga matches and helped them to the last 16 of the Copa del Rey.