Phillips Stoke confession, Scarlett goal, Veliz and Keeley cup heroics - Tottenham loan latest

It is set to be another busy week for Tottenham's loan players before the final international break of 2024 commences from next Monday. Already having two pauses in play during the 2024/25 campaign to allow for international games, the final set of this year's international fixtures will take place immediately after this weekend's games.

As the vast majority of Spurs' loan stars will see domestic action come to a temporary stop, it appears that Matthew Craig and George Abbott will be the only two still in action at a time when others are playing on the international stage. As frustrating as it may be for fans with league football going on hold, the first international break of 2025 is not due to take place until the middle of March, thus giving fans a consistent run of domestic football from the end of November onwards.

So how did Tottenham's loan players fare over the past week and who are they coming up against this weekend? football.london takes a look below:

Manor Solomon (Leeds United)

Manor Solomon got minutes off the bench on Saturday as Leeds United recorded a 3-0 win over Plymouth Argyle at Elland Road. Already three goals to the good after 38 minutes, the Tottenham winger was introduced in the 66th minute of the contest.

"Game was dead and buried by half-time and the second half he entered had entered a very static state. Not much of an impact," was the verdict on Solomon in Leeds Live's player ratings as he came out with a score of six out of 10.

Some more pitch time could could his way on Wednesday evening as Leeds make the trip to London for a Championship encounter against Millwall. The West Yorkshire club then host QPR on Saturday afternoon as they look to close in on league leaders Sunderland before the final international break of the year.

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Dane Scarlett (Oxford United)

Dane Scarlett's rich vein of form continued on Saturday as he helped himself to another goal in Oxford United's 2-1 defeat at home to Swansea City. On the bench to begin with after starting the past two games in the league, the 20-year-old was introduced in the 59th minute with Oxford trailing 1-0.

After the Swans had doubled their lead in the 80th minute, Scarlett reduced the deficit eight minutes later with a left-footed attempt that found the bottom corner of the goal. It was a very good finish from the frontman as he took his tally to three goals in four games for his loan club.

Despite entering the fray around the hour mark, Scarlett came out on top in the Oxford Mail's player ratings as he was awarded a score of seven. They wrote: "Grabbed a well-taken goal, created a chance for Malcolm Ebiowei and looked up for it when he came on. Man of the Match."

Following his latest goal in an Oxford shirt, Scarlett could potentially be handed a start on Tuesday evening when Hull City visit the Kassam Stadium. The U's then travel to Watford on Friday evening for an 8pm kick-off.

Bryan Gil (Girona)

Bryan Gil made his return from injury in midweek as he helped Girona beat Extremadura 4-0 in the Copa del Rey. The winger was to mark his comeback with an goal as he scored the opener after gliding his way across the box before finding the bottom corner with a low strike.

The 23-year-old then started at the weekend as Girona secured a 4-3 home win over Leganes. Gil and Girona have a busy week on the schedule with PSV coming up in the Champions League on Tuesday before they play Getafe on Sunday evening.

Alejo Veliz (Espanyol)

Gil wasn't the only Tottenham loanee to score in the Copa del Rey last weekend as Alejo Veliz helped himself to a hat-trick for Espanyol. Playing lower league side San Tirso SD at Deportivo La Coruna's Riazor stadium, the striker registered a second-half treble to take his Espanyol tally to four goals for the campaign.

Despite his heroics in midweek, Veliz remained an unused substitute for Espanyol's derby clash against Barcelona which they lost 3-1. Espanyol are due to host Valencia on Saturday evening.

Alfie Devine and Luka Vuskovic (Westerlo)

Alfie Devine and Luka Vuskovic enjoyed a good week for Westerlo as they recorded back-to-back wins. Firstly beating RWDM 2-1 in the Belgian Cup, Westerlo then secured a 2-0 victory over Dender in the league on Friday evening.

Devine entered the fray for the final 13 minutes of the cup encounter, before coming off deep into second half stoppage time against Dender. Vuskovic, on the other hand, was not part of the squad for the cup game but played the full 90 minutes at home to Dender.

Westerlo's next fixture comes on Saturday evening as they travel to Charleroi.

Ashley Phillips (Stoke City)

Ashley Phillips' Stoke City loan spell appears to be fully up and running now after starting the last three games for the Potters. Involved in midweek as they took on Southampton in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, the centre-back helped himself to a goal with an instinctive backheel finish from six yards out to give Stoke hope at St Mary's.

Although the game on the south coast did end in defeat as Stoke lost 3-2, Phillips did help the Staffordshire club to victory on Saturday as they beat Derby County 2-1. He was given a score of seven in Stoke-on-Trent Live's player ratings.

They wrote: "Pretty untroubled at centre-half and shows character too, like when fighting for the ball when he stayed up at a corner."

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, Phillips opened up on his start to life at Stoke City and revealed that he's already learning a lot from head coach Narcis Pelach.

"I was born in Manchester, which is just up the road," said Phillips. "When I was at Plymouth, I was on the other side of the country, which was difficult.

"But here I feel a lot more comfortable - and I've settled in really quickly. The concussion put me out for a few weeks which was frustrating. But I've done three 90s on the bounce now so I'm feeling a lot better.

"One of my goals was to score, which I did at Southampton. That was my first professional goal - and I'm looking to get more. But the other goal for me is keeping clean sheets and I've got two so far.

"There's a really great feeling about the place - and that's down to the gaffer and the coaching staff. For me, he's a great gaffer. I've learnt a lot from him already."

Phillips will be intent on making it five starts on the bounce by getting the nod for the Blackburn Rovers and Millwall games this week.

Jamie Donley and Josh Keeley (Leyton Orient)

Jamie Donley and Josh Keeley got to feature in the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon as Leyton Orient prevailed on penalties against Boreham Wood following a 2-2 draw after extra time. Missing out on the Orient squad in recent weeks, Donley started the game and played 65 minutes of the contest.

Keeley played his part in the penalty shootout victory after saving from Tom Whelan to help the east London club win 3-1 on spot-kicks. Orient are in action against Blackpool at the weekend.

Matthew Craig (Barnsley)

Craig was an unused substitute at the weekend as Barnsley secured their place in the second round of the FA Cup with a 3-1 win away at Port Vale. The midfielder has had to contend with a place on the bench recently and he will be hoping that changes on Friday evening when the Tykes host Rotherham United at Oakwell.

George Abbott (Notts County)

Abbott was on the winning side on Friday night as Notts County breezed into the second round of the FA Cup with a convincing 5-1 win over Alfreton Town. The Magpies have a tough game on the calendar this weekend when they take on Doncaster Rovers.

The sides are currently third and fourth respectively in League Two on 26 points, with both having the opportunity to close in on league leaders Port Vale if they manage to claim victory.

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