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Huge Donley verdict, new Scarlett battle and £12.4m transfer possibility - Tottenham loan latest

Jamie Donley continues to make a name for himself at Leyton Orient after scoring in three successive games for the League One side
-Credit:James Baylis - AMA/Getty Images


Tottenham's loan army could potentially grow in the weeks ahead now that the January transfer window is open for business. The north London club have already been active in the transfer market after confirming a deal for goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky on Sunday morning.

Kinsky joins from Slavia Prague for a fee worth £12.5million and has signed a long-term deal in the capital that runs until 2031. Now that Spurs have added to their numbers in the goalkeeping department, Ange Postecoglou will be hopeful of a few more additions to boost the numbers due to the current injury crisis that has hit the team hard.

As ever, the focus will be on incomings at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but some players could well be heading for the exit door before the transfer deadline on Monday, February 3. Loan exits may possibly be signed off over the coming weeks, adding to the numbers currently playing their football away from N17.

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So how exactly did Tottenham's current loan players fare for their respective clubs last weekend? football.london takes a look below.

Manor Solomon (Leeds United)

Saturday proved to be a frustrating day for Manor Solomon and Leeds United as they drew 3-3 away at Hull City after surrendering a 3-1 second-half lead. Starting the game at the MKM Stadium, the winger registered an assist as he set up Ao Tanaka's outstanding strike just after half-time.

Solomon also played his part in Leeds' second goal as Daniel James netted after linking up with right-back Jayden Bogle. Despite going 3-1 up in the 72nd minute, Leeds were punished twice in an eight-minute spell just before full-time as Joao Pedro and Abu Kamara helped restore parity.

In Leeds Live's player ratings from the game, Solomon and Tanaka came out on top with the best scores after both receiving marks of 7/10. "The most likely Leeds attacker in the first half. Did brilliantly for the second," was the verdict on Solomon's performance.

Solomon and Leeds will be in FA Cup action on Saturday with a Yorkshire derby against League Two side Harrogate Town taking place at Elland Road.

Dane Scarlett (Oxford United)

Dane Scarlett has found game time hard to come by for Oxford United since Gary Rowett took on the hotseat at the Championship club. An unused substitute in the Cardiff City and Millwall games either side of a three-minute cameo against Plymouth Argyle, the striker got 80 minutes to his name in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Preston North End.

Scarlett did start on the bench but he was introduced 10 minutes into the game after fellow frontman Mark Harris sustained an injury. In Oxford Mail's player ratings, Scarlett was given a score of 6.5 for his display at Deepdale.

They wrote: "Worked hard up front after coming on so early, but not provided with a chance in front of goal."

Scarlett will be hoping to lead the line on Saturday when Oxford begin their FA Cup campaign away at League One outfit Exeter City. The Spurs youngster does now have extra competition for a place in the side, though, after Oxford completed the signing of striker Ole Romeny from Utrecht in a club-record deal.

Bryan Gil (Girona)

Bryan Gil and his Girona teammates have had the chance to rest and recuperate over the festive period with La Liga on a winter break. Football in Spain resumes this weekend, with Girona travelling to Alaves in an early kick-off on Saturday.

Gil has been in the headlines back in Spain now that the January transfer window has opened for business. According to Spanish publication AS, the winger has done so well that his current club are 'already seriously considering' the idea of activating the €15million (£12.4million) purchase clause in their loan agreement with Tottenham.

Alejo Veliz (Espanyol)

Alejo Veliz has also had a break from action recently due to the winter break, although the striker probably would have preferred to play going on his restricted minutes for Espanyol in recent months. Veliz has been an unused substitute in four of their last seven league fixtures, and recent reports from Spain have indicated that Tottenham could recall him and send him elsewhere due to his lack of match action.

Espanyol have a home clash against Leganes on Saturday evening.

Alfie Devine and Luka Vuskovic (Westerlo)

Alfie Devine and Luka Vuskovic are the other Tottenham loan players to have had a break over Christmas and New Year having last played on Boxing Day in Westerlo's 4-3 defeat at Club Brugge. Devine has used the time to return to England and he was present at Vale Park on New Year's Day to watch former loan club Port Vale in their 0-0 draw against Cheltenham Town.

Westerlo face STVV at home on Saturday afternoon when they return to action.

Ashley Phillips (Stoke City)

Ashley Phillips is now playing under a third permanent manager at Stoke City this season after Narcis Pelach was sacked just after Christmas. Ex-Coventry boss Mark Robins has taken on the top job at the Staffordshire club but he couldn't make it a winning start as the Potters drew 0-0 against Phillips' former loan club Plymouth.

Phillips was given a score of 7/10 for his performance against Plymouth in Stoke-on-Trent Live's player ratings. Stoke City reporter Peter Smith penned: "A couple of fumbling moments but kept his head and defended with pace and strength. Willing to chip in going forward too and a threat at set pieces."

Stoke have a tricky game on the agenda on Saturday as they travel to high-flying Sunderland in the third round of the FA Cup.

Jamie Donley and Josh Keeley (Leyton Orient)

Jamie Donley's Leyton Orient loan spell continues to go from strength to strength after initially struggling for football with the League One club. Fresh from his brilliant free-kick on New Year's Day in their 3-2 win at Bristol Rovers and his goal against Cambridge United prior to that, the Spurs man scored the only goal of the contest last weekend as Orient defeated Shrewsbury Town 1-0.

Donley's goal came after managing to squeeze the ball in at the near post from a tight angle, taking his tally to four goals in his last five league games. The player's introduction to the team has seen Orient hit top form after registering seven wins from their last eight games, thus seeing them jump into eighth place and four points off Reading in the final play-off berth.

Speaking about Donley after the win, Orient boss Richie Wellens said: “I can’t speak highly enough of Jamie. He is a talented boy, everyone can see that. When you watch him in training and you see the talent he has, he has every opportunity to be whatever he wants to be.”

Fellow Tottenham loanee Josh Keeley also continued his excellent form in goal as he registered a seventh clean sheet in his last eight league games. Remarkably, the shot-stopper has 10 clean sheets in his 14 League One appearances this season as he demonstrates to everyone why he's regarded so highly by Tottenham.

Matthew Craig (Barnsley)

Matthew Craig's Barnsley loan spell has turned into a complete nightmare after such a positive start to his time at Oakwell. Last featuring in the league for the South Yorkshire club in the 4-0 defeat at home to Leyton Orient before Christmas, the versatile player has not even made the matchday squad in their past four games.

Prior to his appearance against Orient, the youngster was an unused substitute in six straight league fixtures. Due to a real lack of minutes since the start of November, Spurs will have a decision to make over Craig before the end of the January transfer window as they cannot afford for him to not feature at all during the second half of his Barnsley loan spell.

George Abbott (Notts County)

Whereas Craig struggles for minutes at Barnsley, George Abbott continues to be a key part of the Notts County team. Operating in midfield for the League Two side, the 19-year-old registered his third assist of the season on Saturday as he teed up David McGoldrick's second goal of the contest in their 2-0 victory over Swindon Town.

Abbott produced a sharp turn in midfield to beat his marker before slipping in a precise pass that the experienced striker duly converted. Due to Notts County's FA Cup exit, the Magpies travel to Grimsby Town in the league on Saturday lunchtime.

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