LOAN WATCH: PART TWO (2023, 3)

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Dramatic final weekend in EFL sees McNally & Norris secure play-off spots

2023-05-09T07:30:00.000Z

LOAN WATCH: PART TWO (2023, 3)

Dramatic final weekend in EFL sees McNally & Norris secure play-off spots

2023-05-09T07:30:00.000Z

Dramatic final weekend in EFL sees McNally & Norris secure play-off spots

11 Clarets players are currently out on season-long loan deals across six leagues and two countries, including the Premier League, Vanarama National League North & Scottish Premiership.

That tally includes five players from the academy here at the Club, with Owen Dodgson this week signing off with a draw at Rochdale. At senior level meanwhile, there was success on the final day for both Luke McNally & Will Norris in the EFL.

Here’s a round-up of how the last six loanees, in alphabetical order, have fared since our last edition of ‘Loan Watch’ on 1st May. Make sure to look out for ‘Loan Watch: Part Two’ to keep up to date with how the other five fared.

Luke McNally (Coventry City)

As the Clarets lifted the Sky Bet Championship title, McNally ensured Coventry’s hopes of joining them in the Premier League would continue as he helped the Sky Blues to secure a play-off spot with a 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough.

Ever-present for Mark Robins’ men since joining in January, McNally and City will now have faced ‘Boro three times in nine days with Michael Carrick’s side their play-off semi-final opponents.

This week’s game(s): SUN – Middlesbrough (H – PO SF 1st Leg)

Matt Lowton (Huddersfield Town)

Lowton wasn’t involved in either of Huddersfield’s last two games of the campaign, but Neil Warnock guided the Terriers to safety.

Making mathematically sure with a 1-0 win at home against promoted Sheffield United on Thursday, Town relegated Reading in the process. Coincidentally, the Royals made the trip to the John Smith’s Stadium on the final day, and Huddersfield again picked up all three points courtesy of a 2-0 scoreline.

Finishing 18th and nine points above the relegation zone, defender Lowton will now return to the Clarets.

Michael Mellon (Morecambe)

Forward Mellon is another to not have been involved for his loan club in recent weeks, with his omission from Morecambe’s squads injury related.

Despite a resurgence in recent weeks, a 3-2 defeat at Exeter City on the final day saw the Shrimps finish 22nd and they will play in Sky Bet League Two next term.

Mellon will now return to the Club.

Owen Dodgson (Rochdale)

Dodgson has also experienced relegation this season, with Dale’s fate sealed a few weeks ago. He and the Greater Manchester outfit ended the season on a positive note though with a 1-1 draw at Harrogate Town on Monday afternoon.

The full-back returns to Burnley after 18 Dale appearances, missing just one game during his time at the Crown Oil Arena.

Will Norris (Peterborough United)

In Sky Bet League One, Norris and Peterborough snuck into the top six on the final day, and they’re now involved in the play-offs with promotion still on the cards.

The goalkeeper kept a clean sheet against Bobby Thomas’ Barnsley at Oakwell on Sunday as Darren Ferguson’s side picked up three points with a 2-0 victory. They needed Derby County to lose, and the Rams did so away at Sheffield Wednesday, who Norris & co. will now take on over two legs for a spot at Wembley.

This week’s game(s): FRI – Sheffield Wednesday (H – PO SF 1st Leg)

Wout Weghorst (Manchester United)

With focus back on the Premier League for striker Weghorst at United, their UEFA Champions League qualification hopes took two knocks over the last week courtesy of two 1-0 defeats.

First losing out away at Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday night, a late penalty cost the Red Devils a point deep into time added on. The Dutchman had come off the bench in the closing stages.

And Erik ten Hag’s side lost out again on Sunday at West Ham United where Weghorst started, withdrawn after 57 minutes. Those two results leave United 4th, still narrowly sat in the UCL spots with a game in hand on Liverpool below them.

This week’s game(s): SAT – Wolverhampton Wanderers (H)