Johan Djourou will return to Arsenal next month, despite spending the first four months of the season on loan with Birmingham City.

The 20-year-old Switzerland defender, who followed in the footsteps of Fabrice Muamba, Sebastian Larsson and Nicklas Bendtner by going on loan from Arsenal to Birmingham, will now return to the North London club.

The key reason is the absence of Kolo Toure, the centre back, who will be on international duty with Ivory Coast at the African Cup of Nations next month.

“Arsene Wenger has told me he is taking him back in January,” Alex McLeish, the Birmingham manager, said. “He will be a loss, for sure. It is disappointing that he is not going to be with us for much longer.”

Djourou has started 12 of Birmingham’s 17 Barclays Premier League games this season.

“You have to respect Arsenal’s decision,” McLeish said. “Johan is a big presence of a boy, no doubt about that, and those kind of players seem to be a feature of many a squad in the Premier League.”

Last season the defender started 18 league games for Arsenal and was a substitute in a further three. Djourou had earlier revealed his uncertainty over his future.

“Obviously I love my club Arsenal and if they want me back, hopefully it will be for a good reason,” he said. “I want to play there as well. It is a difficult choice but I have to accept what the manager [Arsene Wenger] is going to do. I would be happy in both situations.”