Sheffield United loan watch: A game of two halves for Luke Freeman as Nottingham Forest lose again and Rhys Norrington-Davies booked in Luton Town's defeat to arch rivals Watford
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But how did the players currently not part of Chris Wilder’s first team squad get on for their loan clubs at the weekend.
Let’s take a look.
Luke Freeman
The 28-year-old attacker is currently on a season-long loan with Championship side Nottingham Forest, who have had a disappointing start to their league campaign having lost their opening three games and, worse still, have yet to register a goal.
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Hide AdFreeman – who joined United for a then club record £5m from Queens Park Rangers in the summer of 2019 – impressed for the Reds in their defeats to Rangers and Cardiff City but produced a quieter performance in the 1-0 reverse at Huddersfield Town on Friday evening.
Writing after the game, Nottinghamshire Live’s Sarah Clapson – who gave him a rating of five out of 10 – said of Freeman: “Much like most of his teammates, had a better first 45 minutes. All just felt a bit flat from the Reds after the break.”
Rhys Norrington-Davies
Twenty-one-year-old Norrington-Davies has joined Championship outfit Luton Town for the 2020/21 campaign – and has already produced some impressive displays for the Hatters.
However, the Wales under-21 international left-back was unable to help his side avoid defeat to bitter rivals Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday – the first time the fixture between the two clubs had been played since April 2006 – and was also booked in injury time for a foul on Hornets striker Troy Deeney.
Jake Eastwood
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Hide AdThe 23-year-old goalkeeper joined Scottish Premiership outfit Kilmarnock in July but suffered a thigh injury on his debut against Hibernian in early August and is currently receiving treatment back at United. He’s still thought to be a minimum of four weeks away from a return to action.
David Parkhouse
The Northern Ireland under-21 international forward signed for National League side Hartlepool United on loan until January earlier this month.
And Parkhouse, 20, who has yet to make a first-team appearance for United, scored for his new side in a 4-1 friendly win at Gateshead on Saturday.
Dominic Scurr, of the Hartlepool Mail, says the Blades striker has had a ‘solid pre-season’ and is in contention to start for Dave Challinor’s side when they host Aldershot in the scheduled National League opener on Saturday.
Tyler Smith
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Hide AdStriker Smith completed a deal to join League One outfit Swindon Town on a season-long loan last month.
The 21-year-old, who has not made a senior appearance for the Blades, scored on his debut for the Robins in their 3-1 win over Rochdale on the opening day of the season but was an unused substitute in the 4-2 defeat of Burton Albion at the County Ground on Saturday.
Marcus Dewhurst
Young goalkeeper Dewhurst re-joined League Two Carlisle United on a temporary basis until January 2021 at the end of last month.
The 19-year-old had previously joined the Cumbrians on-loan on deadline day last January, but failed to make a competitive appearance before Covid-19 brought about the suspension of league football in England.
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Hide AdDewhurst was once again an unused substitute in Carlisle’s 1-0 defeat at Scunthorpe United on Saturday.
Ismaila Coulibaly
Mali under-20 midfielder Coulibaly joined United from Norwegian outfit Sarpsborg 08 earlier this month and was immediately sent out on loan to Belgian side Beerschot.
The 19-year-old was once again an unused substitute in Beerschot’s 3-2 win over lowly Waasland-Beveren on Saturday – a win which moves his new club up to third place in the Pro League.
Stephen Mallon
The Blades’ under-23 winger is currently on loan with League of Ireland Premier Division side Derry City but injury forced him to miss the 2-1 defeat to high-flying Bohemians on Friday night. Mallon will remain with the Candy Stripes until the end of the current campaign in October.
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