Loan watch - Alex on target again

Alex Pritchard’s fifth goal of the season ensured Brentford took maximum points from their trip to Leeds United on a busy weekend for our loanees.

The attacking midfielder fired home the only goal of the game at the back post on 65 minutes to give his side victory in the Championship on Saturday.

He was substituted seven minutes from time.

Elsewhere, two of our players were given debuts in new colours after linking up with their respective loan clubs on transfer deadline day.

Aaron Lennon was introduced off the bench for Everton on the hour mark in their home Premier League clash with Liverpool – the Merseyside derby ending goalless – while youngster Nathan Oduwa was a 59th minute substitute for Luton Town as they battled out a 1-1 draw at Oxford United in League Two. The match marked Nathan’s first taste of senior Football League action.

New signing Dele Alli also made his first appearance for MK Dons since being loaned back to the League One outfit following his move to White Hart Lane last week – the midfielder fizzing a late 20-yard shot just wide as his side drew 0-0 at home to Bristol City. Dele completed the full 90 minutes.

Two further loanees were also on the bench for their respective clubs for the first time – goalkeeper Jordan Archer for Millwall in their 3-1 home defeat to Huddersfield Town in the Championship and winger Kenny McEvoy for Colchester United in their 3-2 home reverse against Crewe Alexandra in League One.

Meanwhile, two of our youngsters faced each other in the Championship as Ryan Fredericks’ Middlesbrough met Milos Veljkovic’s Charlton Athletic. It was an unhappy return to the Riverside for Milos, who was on loan with Boro earlier this season, as he was forced off injured in the 35th minute with his side going on to lose 3-1. Ryan played the full game at right-back for the hosts.

Forward Shaq Coulthirst was in action for Southend United in League Two, going on as a 68th-minute substitute in their 1-1 draw at Shrewsbury Town, while Dominic Ball was an unused substitute for Cambridge United as they lost 1-0 at home to Wycombe Wanderers in the same division.

Midfielder Tom Carroll, meanwhile, was on the bench for Swansea City in their 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland in the Premier League.