Loan Watch: Slattery continues unbeaten start
Young midfielder Callum Slattery enjoyed another impressive week for Gillingham as his unbeaten loan move continues. This and more in this week’s Loan Watch, in association with Kuflink…
The 21-year-old midfielder is yet to lose during his time in Kent after recording a dominant win followed by a well-fought draw this week for Steve Evans’s League One side.
Slattery played the full 90 minutes of a rampant 4-1 win for the Gills at home to Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday night.
Fellow Saints loanne Tom O’Connor also impressed as goals from Jordan Graham, Kyle Dempsey and an Olly Lee double secured the victory.
At the weekend, with O’Connor missing through a groin injury, Slattery played 88 minutes as the Gills left it late to grab an important point at the Stadium of Light during a 2-2 draw with Sunderland.
Following the point teammate Ryan Jackson told the club’s media: “Slats [Callum Slattery] looks very good in midfield – he can break down the play, put his foot on it and keep it as well. Sometimes you need that safety need and to trust him on the ball.
“He has a good pedigree and has come from a good club. He gets on the ball well and keeps us ticking over.”
Amongst the substitutes for Sunderland at the weekend was defender Jake Vokins, who signed for the Black Cats on loan Friday night.
Speaking to the club’s media, Vokins said: “I want to come here and play games, and help the team get promoted this season.
“I feel I can bring my qualities to the team; I’m good on the ball and I can deliver crosses, so hopefully that allows the team to score more goals. It’s a big club and I can’t wait to get started.”
Lee Johnson’s Sunderland are currently sitting sixth in League One, with only one defeat in their last five.
Another Saints youngster who will look to impress in the division for the remainder of the season is Josh Sims.
Sims rejoined Doncaster Rovers on Wednesday, hoping to add to the three goals and seven assists in his 14 games so far for the club.
In a piece to club media, Sims said: "There's a sense of unfinished business which the gaffer mentioned too, I've been following the results since I've last played and they've been doing really well."
Darren Moore’s side have won four of their last five league games and currently sit third in the standings.
Stepping up a division into the Championship and it was a welcome return between the sticks for Angus Gunn this week.
The 25-year-old keeper continued his return from an ankle injury with a full 90 minutes away at Huddersfield on Saturday.
Michael O’Neil’s side drew the game 1-1 meaning they are without a win in their last five but will be hoping Gunn’s return brings an upturn in their fortunes.
Another player who returned from a period on the side-lines recently is Fulham’s Mario Lemina.
The Gabonese international played the last 24 minutes of the Cottagers’ stalemate with Brighton at the Amex on Wednesday evening, before starting the weekend game at West Brom.
Lemina played 72 minutes before being substituted as Scott Parker’s side gained a vital point in their bid for safety.
In Scotland, Mohamed Elyounoussi continued his return from injury with a full 90 minutes at home to Hamilton on Wednesday.
Neil Lennon’s side were 2-0 victors at Celtic Park as they looked to close the gap on runaway leaders Rangers.
But these hopes took a hit just three days later, as Elyounoussi played 62 minutes of the 2-1 defeat to St Mirren on Saturday.
Lennon’s side are now 23 points behind Steven Gerrard’s Rangers with two games in hand.
And finally in Italy, defender Wesley Hoedt enjoyed two games in a week against Atalanta as his Lazio side met their opponents in Coppa Italia and then Serie A action.
Hoedt played 71 minutes of the first meeting, which ultimately ended in a 3-2 Coppa Italia quarter-final defeat.
The Dutch defender was an unused sub as Simone Inzaghi’s men gained revenge at the weekend with a 3-1 Serie A victory.
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