ACADEMY LOAN WATCH (2022)

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Thomas & Jensen star in Papa John's Trophy while Hugill eyes top spot

2022-12-19T08:00:00.000Z

ACADEMY LOAN WATCH (2022)

Thomas & Jensen star in Papa John's Trophy while Hugill eyes top spot

2022-12-19T08:00:00.000Z

Thomas & Jensen star in Papa John's Trophy while Hugill eyes top spot

Six players from the Clarets academy are currently out on loan across the Football League & non-league pyramid.

Inclement weather continued its impact with numerous games called off, though three of our loanees’ games survived the big freeze as they all picked up victories.

With the countdown to Christmas now in single figures, here’s how they got on along with a look ahead to the fixtures for the loanees in the coming days.

Bobby Thomas (Bristol Rovers)

With Rovers, where he is on a season-long loan, defender Thomas enjoyed a double winning week.

Playing 69 minutes on Tuesday evening at the Memorial Stadium, he first helped the Gas into the last eight of the Papa John’s Trophy with a 4-1 success against MK Dons.

After setting up a Quarter-Final tie against either AFC Wimbledon or Plymouth Argyle, Joey Barton’s side then returned to Sky Bet League One action at Charlton Athletic on Saturday and picked up three points with a 2-1 victory on the road.

Thomas, who played the full game against the Addicks, has been a Claret since 2017. He and Rovers are not back in action until Boxing Day.

Finn Armstrong (FC United of Manchester)

For the second weekend running, all 11 scheduled games in the Northern Premier League’s Premier Division were postponed on Saturday with frozen pitches nationwide.

Accordingly, full back Armstrong – who has been with Burnley from the age of 12 - missed out on a trip to Nantwich Town.

The Reds are scheduled to host Bolton Wanderers in a friendly tomorrow, but will return to league action on Boxing Day. Armstrong’s loan runs until 31st December.

This Week’s Games: TUE – Bolton Wanderers (H - Friendly)

Lewis Richardson (Grimsby Town)

Striker Richardson is out on a season-long loan with Grimsby in Sky Bet League Two, and saw Saturday’s scheduled trip to Mansfield Town postponed due to a frozen pitch.

The frontman has been in the Clarets academy from the age of nine, and will be in contention for the Mariners’ Boxing Day trip to Harrogate Town.

Lukas Jensen (Accrington Stanley)

Goalkeeper Jensen is playing a division higher, also on a season-long loan, with Stanley.

The Danish shot stopper helped the Reds into the Papa John’s Trophy Quarter-Finals on Tuesday night as they beat Burton Albion 4-2 away from home. Accrington will now travel to Lincoln City next month in the last eight of the competition.

Come Saturday, Jensen – who has been with Burnley since 2019 – and Stanley’s scheduled trip to Port Vale in Sky Bet League One fell foul to a frozen pitch. They return to action on Boxing Day when they host Barnsley.

Sam Waller (Lancaster City)

Fellow ‘keeper Waller also saw his game postponed on Saturday with Lancaster’s trip to Radcliffe postponed due to a frozen pitch.

The shot stopper, who has been a Claret since he was 12, is with the Dolly Blues until 3rd January 2023. They are next in action on Boxing Day with the visit of Bamber Bridge after tomorrow’s trip to Guiseley was postponed due to their involvement in the Isuzu FA Trophy.

Will Hugill (Leek Town)

Hugill’s youth loan with Leek runs until 8th January 2023. After seeing their trip to Skelmersdale United postponed on Tuesday due to there being no running water at the ground, the Blues were one of just four Clubs in the Northern Premier League’s West Division to play on Saturday.

They welcomed Bootle to Harrison Park, and with versatile midfielder Hugill playing 57 minutes, Leek completed a stunning comeback from 2-0 down to win 3-2.

The victory took Town 2nd, and they’re now chasing leaders Macclesfield FC for top spot with Hugill – who is a lifelong Clarets fan and has been in the academy since 2020 – spearheading their midfield.

Boxing Day will see Leek make the local trip to Newcastle Town.