LOAN WATCH: PART TWO (2023, 4)

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Dodgson picks up assist in Dale win as Norris keeps clean sheet for play-off chasing Posh

2023-05-01T07:45:00.000Z

LOAN WATCH: PART TWO (2023, 4)

Dodgson picks up assist in Dale win as Norris keeps clean sheet for play-off chasing Posh

2023-05-01T07:45:00.000Z

Dodgson picks up assist in Dale win as Norris keeps clean sheet for play-off chasing Posh

13 Clarets players are currently out on season-long loan deals across nine leagues and three countries, including the Premier League, Vanarama National League North & Belgian Pro League.

That tally includes six players from the academy here at the Club, with Owen Dodgson this week shining as Rochdale were victorious in their final home game of the campaign. For Will Norris meanwhile, the play-off race in Sky Bet League One now all comes down to the final day this weekend.

Here’s a round-up of how the last seven loanees, in alphabetical order, have fared over the last week. Make sure to read ‘Loan Watch: Part One to keep up to date with how the other six fared.

Lukas Jensen (Accrington Stanley)

It was a week of contrasting fortunes for Jensen, who began the week with a clean sheet and a Man of the Match performance in a 1-0 win away at former club Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday night for the goalkeeper.

Putting an end to four losses on the bounce, Stanley were within two points of safety after that. Come Saturday though, a damaging 2-1 defeat on home soil to fellow strugglers Cambridge United means they’re all but condemned to relegation, three points from safety and with an inferior goal difference with one left to play.

This week’s game(s): SUN – Oxford United (A)

Luke McNally (Coventry City)

Still ever-present in Coventry’s side since joining in January, centre back McNally looks to have all but helped the Sky Blues to cement a play-off spot in the Sky Bet Championship after Saturday’s 2-0 win at home to Birmingham City.

Mark Robins’ side are now three points clear, losing just one of their last 16 after the Irishman helped them to a clean sheet against their Midlands rivals, with just one game remaining. That comes a week today – 8th May – at Middlesbrough, who they could yet still face again in the play-offs.

Matt Lowton (Huddersfield Town)

Lowton hasn’t quite played as much for his loan side, and wasn’t involved this weekend, but the Terriers took a huge step towards sealing their safety at the other end of the Championship with a 2-1 win at Cardiff City yesterday.

Town are now three clear of the drop zone with two to play, one more than most around them, and from those two need just one point to make mathematically sure.

This week’s game(s): THURS – Sheffield United (H)

Michael Mellon (Morecambe)

Missing through injury in recent weeks, Mellon also hasn’t been involved for his loan club, with Morecambe also doing their best to escape the drop in Sky Bet League One with three wins on the spin.

Mellon the star as seven Clarets gain minutes in this week’s loan watch

The latest, a 3-2 victory at home against Lincoln City having been two goals down, came on Saturday. Derek Adams’ side are now only in the relegation zone on goal difference heading into the final weekend. As things stand, they must better MK Dons’ result to survive.

This week’s game(s): SUN – Exeter City (A)

Owen Dodgson (Rochdale)

As referenced above, full-back Dodgson enjoyed success this week as Dale ran out 4-1 winners against Sutton United at the Crown Oil Arena in their last home game of the campaign.

Having had their relegation from Sky Bet League One confirmed last week, the Greater Manchester outfit are looking to finish with a flourish and Dodgson grabbed an assist for their third goal in that win against Sutton before being withdrawn late on.

With no game this week, Dale’s season is rounded off on 8th May with a trip to Harrogate Town.

Will Norris (Peterborough United)

A division higher, Norris and Peterborough’s race for the play-offs has now gone to the final day after a goalless draw – and a clean sheet for the Clarets ‘keeper – at home to Bristol Rovers on Saturday.

With Derby County also dropping points, a win for the Posh would’ve seen them head into the play-off spots. As it is now though, with Bolton having confirmed their spot, it’s now between Peterborough and the Rams for that last spot in the top six.

Norris and co. must win their last game away at Bobby Thomas’ Barnsley and hope that Derby lose at Sheffield Wednesday. Both of those respective opponents already know that they will be in the play-offs, so it very quickly could be a case of déjà vu.

This week’s game(s): SUN – Barnsley (A)

Wout Weghorst (Manchester United)

Dutch international Weghorst mainly had a watching capacity across United’s two Premier League games this week as Erik ten Hag’s side picked up four points.

First appearing as a 71st minute substitute in North London on Thursday evening, the striker helped the Red Devils to a 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur, though they did let a two-goal lead slip in that game.

He was then an unused substitute yesterday back at Old Trafford as ten Hag’s men beat Aston Villa 1-0 thanks to Bruno Fernandes’ first half goal. They are now 4th, in the UEFA Champions League spots, with six games remaining alongside an Emirates FA Cup final against Manchester City in June.

This week’s game(s): THURS – Brighton & Hove Albion (A) & SUN – West Ham United (A)