Praet the catalyst as Torino move into top half of Serie A
DENNIS Praet continues to be the catalyst for Torino’s rise up the Serie A table, with the Leicester City midfielder scoring the second goal of his loan spell at the Italian side, writes Jordan Blackwell.
Praet met a left-wing cross to nod in the winner in a 2-1 victory over his old club Sampdoria on Saturday, taking Torino into the top half of the standings for the first time this campaign.
It was a bizarre goal, with the ball bouncing through a hole in the net, leading to confusion and then a brief pause to proceedings as stewards were called upon to stitch it up.
Injuries have prevented Praet from putting together a consistent run of starts, but his record when he has been in the starting 11 is impressive, now standing at seven wins from 10 games.
He was not the only City loanee to find the net at the weekend, with George Hirst getting his second League One goal for Portsmouth.
The striker swept home a cross, but it did not help Pompey continue their unbeaten league run, the 2-1 defeat to MK Dons their first loss in 11.
Callum Wright could not keep up his scoring run for Cheltenham, the attacking midfielder having netted in his previous two games, but he was awarded player of the match as the Robins drew 1-1 with Charlton, with only a 94th-minute equaliser stopping them from taking all three points.
Elsewhere in League One, Sam Hughes made his first appearance in more than 12 months, overcoming a serious knee injury and returning with 90 minutes in Burton’s 3-1 win over Gillingham.
Hughes suffered the injury in December 2020, while on loan at
Burton, but after impressing, the Brewers took him back this season, even knowing he would still be out injured for the opening portion of the campaign.
Centre-back Hughes wrote on social media afterwards: “Been the toughest 12 months I have had but today made it all worthwhile.
“Delighted to be back out on the pitch today and even better taking home the three points.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported and helped me throughout. Onwards and upwards.”
It is not going so well for Khanya Leshabela at Shrewsbury, the midfielder left out of the squad for their goalless draw with Crewe amid reports he will be sent back to City.
He remains with the Shrews for the time being, but that could change before the end of the month.
In League Two, striker Jake Wakeling made his senior debut for Barrow just days after joining them on loan.
City Under-23s’ top scorer last season, Wakeling was thrown straight into the starting line-up, making a winning start with Barrow toppling Colchester 2-0 to ease relegation fears.
A few places higher in the league, Tyrese Shade started for Walsall as they lost 2-0 to Mansfield.
In the Championship, Preston goalkeeper Daniel Iversen saw his side draw 1-1 with Birmingham. The Dane would have kept his first clean sheet in 10 matches if not for Scott Hogan’s 86th-minute header.