Loan Watch: Liverpool's Sheyi Ojo and Man Utd's Ben Pearson impress
Friday 2 October 2015 13:35, UK
Which Premier League players impressed on loan in the Football League last month?
Newcastle's Adam Armstrong and Arsenal's Chuba Akpom caught the eye at Coventry and Hull respectively in August and, in the latest instalment of our new monthly feature, we've picked out five standout performers from September.
Agree with our selection or have we missed someone? Leave your comments below or tweet us @SkySportsFL to have your say...
Uche Ikpeazu (Watford - on loan at Port Vale)
League One Vale needed a man with an eye for goal after losing their top four scorers in the summer and Watford striker Ikpeazu has delivered, hitting five goals in 11 appearances so far. The powerful 20-year-old came off the bench to earn a midweek point against Oldham but Valiants boss Rob Page reckons he offers more than just goals.
"Big Uche has certainly contributed to the goals but the work he does for the team to get us up the pitch is tremendous," Page said.
Reece Burke (West Ham - on loan at Bradford)
West Ham teenager Reece Burke might have made only a handful of appearances for the Premier League side but his impact in Bradford's backline ensured the League One side moved quickly to extend his loan deal until mid-October at least.
Burke netted his first senior goal against Oldham at the start of the month after helping the Bantams go unbeaten during his first five games and though September ended with successive defeats, he continued to turn in solid performances - including in a hard-fought Yorkshire derby draw with Sheffield United.
"He's a youngster but he's got a cool head," boss Phil Parkinson said of the man who has earned his first call-up to the England U20s since heading to Valley Parade.
Ben Pearson (Manchester United - on loan at Barnsley)
Pearson drew comparisons with Old Trafford legend Paul Scholes for his tenacious playing style with the club's U21s and the long-ranger he scored in a recent 2-0 win over high-flying Gillingham showed he's got the midfield legend's eye for goal, too.
The 20-year-old has proved a key member of a youthful Tykes side and Lee Johnson is thrilled to have lured him back for a second loan spell.
"I can't stress how much I rate the boy," Johnson said. "It's great to get a player at this level that can play with both feet and with a range of passing, not just neat and tidy, but a range of passing and can manipulate the ball. If he listens to me I can make him even better!"
Jordan Pickford (Sunderland - on loan at Preston)
Pickford joined Championship newcomers Preston on a season-long loan after furthering his education with League One Bradford last term and four clean sheets in his opening seven games have alerted the likes of Tottenham and Aston Villa, according to reports on Wearside.
The Sunderland 'keeper earned praise from Gareth Southgate after keeping two clean sheets on duty for the England U21s at the start of the month and though his club side languish at the wrong end of the Championship table, the 21-year-old has pulled off a string of fine saves to help earn recent points against Bristol City and Wolves.
Sheyi Ojo (Liverpool - on loan at Wolves)
Bakary Sako's departure to Crystal Palace was a blow but Wolves appear to have found a game replacement in Ojo, the 18-year-old on a season-long loan from Liverpool.
The Kop kid - "an old-fashioned winger," according to Wolves boss Kenny Jackett - showed his credentials as a game-changer at Craven Cottage as September came to a close, helping setting up one and scoring another in a 3-0 win over Fulham.
"He's made a big impact in a number of I think he's a very good young player and at 18 has a bright future," Jackett said. "He has the power and he's a natural left-winger. He's made a big impact in a number of games."
Hit the video above to watch September's Premier League loan stars in action and follow the Football League action this weekend with our live blogs - featuring match highlights first on Sky Sports Digital.