Spurs loan watch: Weekend preview
By Tom Vinall
The games are coming thick and fast for Tottenham Hotspur loanees, having been a whole midweek slate of EFL fixtures, where Josh Keeley kept a clean sheet for Leyton Orient, and Dane Scarlett scored again for Oxford United. Let’s take a look at how this weekend shapes up for each loanee in the English Football League, and across the continent.
To begin, on Friday night, Alejo Veliz and RCD Espanyol host Sevilla in La Liga, as they look to bounce back from their hammering at Athletic Club, 20:00 BST kick off.
Girona make the trip to the Canary Islands to face Las Palmas on Saturday, though it remains to be seen if Gil will do, having missed the last two games with injury. 17:30 BST kick off.
Back to England, where everyone will be playing on Saturday. Scarlett and Oxford will make the long trip North to face Sunderland, who currently occupy top spot in the Championship, after a surprisingly electric start to the season. Scarlett will be looking to get his third goal in as many Championship games here, and fourth goal in four games in all competitions.
Despite an impressive first season back in the second tier, Oxford only have two points from their first five games – though another point here would be very much welcomed. Kick off 15:00 BST.
Elsewhere in the Championship, Ashley Phillips and Stoke City travel to South Yorkshire to face Sheffield United, in their first home game since the tragic passing of club legend George Baldock. Phillips has not played in the league since August due to injury and tactical decisions by new manager Narcis Pelach. Kick off is also 15:00 BST.
Into League One, where Josh Keeley, Jamie Donley, and Leyton Orient travel to Buckinghamshire to face Wycombe Wanderers. The O’s picked up an important win against Rotherham United in midweek, with Keeley keeping a clean sheet in his second league appearance. Kick off 15:00 BST.
Elsewhere, Matthew Craig and Barnsley travel down to Shropshire, where Darrell Clarke will reunite with good friend Paul Hurst in their game at Shrewsbury. Craig will be hoping to be back in the XI, having come off the bench in the last two games. Another 15:00 BST kick off there.
Down in League Two, George Abbott and Notts County host Harrogate. Abbott missed the game with Barrow, but only due to a minor injury, so could be back with this one. Many Notts fans lambasted the performance against Barrow, with some blaming the lack of Abbott and other missing players. Kick off is also 15:00 BST.
Finally, Luka Vuskovic, Alfie Devine, and KVC Westerlo are in action on Saturday night, as they travel to Sint-Truidense VV in the Belgian Pro League. Their hosts sit 14th in the League, six places below Westerlo and with four points fewer. Westerlo could go up to 5th with a win,19:45 BST kick off.