Florian reigns in Spain – but other loanees are not firing
NEWCASTLE United’s spending power ahead of the January window remains unknown with the club’s takeover still uncertain.
The Magpies have four weeks until the mid-season window opens, although it remains to be seen how active boss Steve Bruce will be.
Away from St James’ Park, Newcastle have several senior players out on loan alongside some promising youngsters.
Here, we look at how they fared last weekend.
FLORIAN LEJEUNE
The decision to send Lejeune on loan split the Newcastle United fan base and his performances for Alaves this season would suggest he could have played a role at St James’ Park.
The 29-year-old made his 10th league start of the La Liga season and again impressed against the Spanish league leaders.
Real Sociedad went into the weekend not only top of La Liga but also top scorers in Spain with 22 goals in 11 matches.
Lejeune again picked up rave reviews as he helped Alaves to shut out the division’s most potent attack.
YOSHINORI MUTO
Muto was sent on a seasonlong loan to Spanish side Eibar on 15 September 2020 after failing to make an impact at Newcastle following a £9.5million move from Mainz in August 2018.
Eibar were in action last night against Valencia, where Muto was set to make his ninth La Liga appearance of the season. Last week, the
Japanese forward scored in Eibar’s 2-0 win over Real Betis to break a 786-day run without a goal.
FREDDIE WOODMAN
Woodman continues to impress in goal for Swansea City and collected another clean sheet during their 2-0 victory over Luton Town on Saturday.
The Swans boast the meanest defence in the Championship after conceding only 10 goals in 16 matches - which has been in no small part down to Woodman.
TOM ALLAN
Allan joined League One side Accrington on a season-long loan in the summer and has so far made eight appearances across all competitions.
However, he remains sidelined after picking up a thigh injury in Stanley’s 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Tranmere on November 7.
John Coleman’s side beat MK Dons 2-1 on Saturday to move seventh and within one point of the play-off places in League One.
MO SANGARE
Staying with Accrington, Sangare remains out of action after picking up a hamstring injury which will rule him out for two months.
Coleman said: “Mo had an unfortunate slip and reactivated the hamstring injury so he will be out for a couple of months.
“He is a cracking lad and was in tears yesterday and I feel for him but I know he is a strong character and he will battle his way back.”
KELLAND WATTS
Watts has been making the most of his move on loan to Plymouth Argyle, having already made 20 appearances in all competitions.
He played on the right side of a back three on Saturday but couldnot prevent a 2-1 home defeat to Ipswich Town.
JACK TURNER
Another Magpies goalkeeper out on loan is Turner, who is with Morecambe in League Two.
Turner lost his place in the Morecambe goal, he 21-year-old at fault for Solihull’s opening goal in Morecambe’s 4-2 FA Cup win a fortnight ago.
He was on the bench again as his side was beaten 2-1 by league leaders Newport County after conceding a late penalty.
LEWIS CASS
The young defender has been featuring regularly on loan with Hartlepool in the National League this season.
Cass was again in the XI on Saturday but could not prevent a 2-1 defeat to Boreham Wood.
ELIAS SORENSEN
Danish striker Sorensen is out in the Netherlands spending the campaign with Almere City in the Eerste Divisie.
The 21-year-old striker, has contributed two goals and an assist in five league appearances so far but has not been in the Almere squad for the last three matches.