Ballinamallard United have boosted their promotion hopes to the IFA Premiership by signing back former youth player Craig Hill.

The 20-year-old was released by mutual consent by Scottish 2nd Division club Airdrie Utd in December and Ballinamllard United manager Whitey Anderson has wasted no time in getting Hill back to the club.

Hill left Ballinamallard for Dundee United and famously made his debut for the Tannadice club against Rangers before moving on to Airdrie.

Craig made nine starting and three substitute appearances for Airdire however his time at the club was marred by a facial injury that required surgery after a game against Alloa.

A club spokesperson for Airdire said, "Craig has now returned home to Ireland, and we wish him all the best with his future career." Hill will be ineligible to play in the Intermediate Cup this season having already played in the Scottish League Cup and he was a member of the NI Elite squad at the 2009 Milk Cup having previously represented Fermanagh and Junior and Premier levels.

His return will undoubtedly boost a Ballinamallard side for a tough second part of the season as they push on in their bid to become the first team from Fermanagh to compete at the very top level of Northern Ireland football.

For Whitey Anderson's reaction to this story check out Thursday's Impartial Reporter