George Friend underwent a seven-and-a-half hour journey up to Carlisle with loan club Southend last Friday.
Only to discover he wouldn't be able to feature in the weekend's game!
Wolves and Southend had agreed to take the left-sided player's spell at Roots Hall into a second month only for the Football League to reject the extension due to an ongoing problem between the Shrimpers and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
With the Football League regarding the extension as a new registration, under new rules introduced in the summer Southend's unresolved situation with the HMRC prompted the deal to fall through.
And that left George sitting in the stands for the game at Brunton Park and then returning to Wolves after his month with Southend.
"I enjoyed my time at Southend and it's just a shame it couldn't have continued for another month," he admitted.
"Everyone had signed all the paperwork and we were ready to go but I was up in Carlisle when I had it confirmed that I couldn't play.
"It was on the Thursday when I first heard there might be a problem but they were trying to sort it out so I travelled because otherwise I could have got the go-ahead but been sat at home.
"We took the chance but it just had to be Carlisle away - it took us seven-and-a-half hours to get there and then it was on the Friday evening that the confirmation came through.
"It was just unfortunate both for me and for the club but I just had to sit on the stand and watch the game."
George made six appearances during his stint with Southend, following on from another loan spell with Millwall earlier in the season.
He is certainly ready to consider another temporary switch should boss Mick McCarthy see fit as he aims to get some invaluable match experience under his belt.
"I'm glad to be back here training with the team but at the same time I think on loan's where I need to be at the moment," he added.
"It would have been nice for it to be at Southend but I'm not sure what's happening there now so my agent is also looking around for other possible clubs.
"I need to be out there playing really building up some more experience before hopefully coming back here to challenge for the team.
"It's obviously that much harder now we're in the Premier League so I need to go out and prove myself on loan first."
His loan with Southend was certainly lit up by his only goal during his month stay - a superb long-range free kick in a defeat against Southampton.
"It was nice to get the goal against Southampton and nice to be on the free kicks - there's a bit of a pecking order here at Wolves so I didn't get too close!"
