Loan stars’ state of affairs ...

ZACK Steffen was among City loanees in action again at the weekend.

The American goalkeeper played the full 90 minutes in Michael Carrick’s first game in charge of Middlesbrough. It ended in a 2-1 defeat at Preston although Steffen was not at fault for either goal.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis remains crucial for Vincent Kompany’s Burnley and he played his part in their 2-1 win over Reading.

Tommy Doyle and James McAtee, on loan at Sheffield United, have endured differing fortunes so far this term.

Doyle, left, has a starting shirt at present and he starred in the Blades’ 2-0 win at West Brom on Saturday. Doyle played the full 90 minutes whilst McAtee was an unused sub.

Liam Delap was again restricted to a sub role for struggling Stoke in their 3-1 loss at high-flying Norwich.

Luke Mbete missed Huddersfield’s 1-0 win over Millwall - the fifth consecutive game he has sat out.

Callum Doyle had to play on the right side of a back three in Coventry’s 2-1 home loss to Blackpool, for whom Lewis Fiorini hasn’t featured since mid-August.

Goalkeeper James Trafford’s Bolton side suffered a shock 3-1 loss at home to Oxford.

Striker Slobodan Tedic made a 12-minute cameo as Barnsley beat Forest Green Rovers 2-0.

Yan Couto and Yangel Herrera both started in Girona’s impressive performance away at Real Madrid where they escaped with a point after a 1-1 draw.

£9million attacker Kayky started from the bench as Portuguese strugglers Pacos Ferreira lost 1-0 to Maritimo.

Filip Stevanovic missed out as Santa Clara held Porto to a 1-1 draw at home.

Issa Kabore scored his first senior goal in Marseille’s 2-2 draw at Strasbourg. He could feature against Tottenham in the Champions League tonight.

Diego Rosa made a late cameo in Vizela’s 2-2 draw away at Boavista in Portugal, featuring for the final four minutes.