It’s been a dramatic and eventful week for Crystal Palace’s loanees across the English football pyramid and beyond, with standout performances, notable returns, and a tough injury blow.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi netted his first goals for Çaykur Rizespor in Turkey. Meanwhile, David Ozoh and Tayo Adaramola marked their returns to the starting line-up after prolonged absence from first-team proceedings.
Joe Whitworth battled to earn his 19th clean sheet in Exeter colours, and Danny Imray faces a spell out after picking up a knee injury.
Here’s the latest from our young Eagles out on loan…
Rak-Sakyi netted a brace in Çaykur Rizespor’s emphatic 5-2 victory over Antalyaspor in the Turkish Süper Lig on Saturday, making an emphatic statement in just his second start for the club.
The 23-year-old winger opened the scoring inside four minutes, collecting the ball in the right channel, sizing up his defender, and cutting inside before unleashing a powerful strike into the far corner beyond the diving 'keeper.
He added his second shortly after the break, expertly bringing down a lofted pass with his chest and proceeding to rifle a half-volley into the near corner to make it 3-1.
Rak-Sakyi played 72 minutes and was a constant threat throughout, showing the kind of sharpness and flair that Palace fans have come to expect.
Despite the win, Rizespor remain 12th in the table with eight points just above the relegation zone. However, they hold a game in hand over many of the teams above them.
Ozoh made his first start for Derby County since Bristol in late August, returning to the line-up in their 1-1 draw with Southampton at Pride Park.
The young midfielder has seen limited minutes this season, mainly coming off the bench, but he made a strong impression on Saturday with an assured display in the middle of the park.
Showcasing his ball-carrying ability, one highlight saw Ozoh drive confidently through midfield before teeing up Craig Forsyth, whose teasing cross found Carlton Morris – only for the striker to head narrowly wide.
Ozoh was replaced in the 69th minute, but not before putting in a standout performance defined by his composure under pressure and surging runs.
Supporters were especially taken by his knack for gliding through pressure and finishing with a pinpoint pass to ignite wave after wave of attack.
The Rams remain 20th in the Championship with eight points, just two clear of the relegation zone.
Whitworth earned a well-deserved clean sheet in Exeter City’s narrow but impressive 1-0 win over high-flying Lincoln City in League One on Saturday.
It marked his first shutout since the Grecians' 3-0 victory over Peterborough at the end of August, and continues a strong individual campaign for the young Palace ‘keeper.
Now with 19 clean sheets for Exeter across two loan spells, Whitworth's latest performance was another strong display.
On what was his 11th consecutive league start for the club, Whitworth remained composed under considerable pressure, particularly during a sustained late attacking spell from the Imps.
He worked in tandem with his backline to produce a string of vital saves and defensive interventions, helping Exeter hold firm and secure their fourth win of the season.
The result was a welcome one for the Grecians, who continue to rely on Whitworth’s steady presence in goal as they navigate a competitive League One campaign.
Adaramola returned to action for Leyton Orient at the weekend, making his first appearance since late August in a dramatic 4-3 defeat away to Cardiff City.
The left-back played 76 minutes in a high-tempo encounter, having last featured in the 1-0 loss to Northampton late August.
Despite goals from Aaron Connolly, Idris El Mizouni and Dan Ballard, Orient were edged out by the hosts, with Cardiff’s Callum Robinson netting a brace alongside efforts from Dylan Lawlor and Yousef Salech.
Adaramola and Orient will look to bounce back quickly as they return to action on Tuesday 7th October (19:00 BST), hosting Crawley Town in the EFL Trophy.
França returned to action for Vasco da Gama over the weekend, coming off the bench in their thrilling 4-3 victory over Vitória in Brazil’s Série A.
França replaced Cauan Barros in the 78th minute with the score finely poised at 3-3, playing 12 minutes as Vasco pushed for a late winner. That breakthrough came deep into stoppage time, as Gabriel da Silva Souza struck in the 97th minute to seal a dramatic three points for the Rio side.
His return came just days after missing the 3-0 defeat to Palmeiras, with the club confirming in a statement that the attacking midfielder had “suffered a right ankle sprain during training” and was undergoing treatment with their medical department (DESP).
Vasco currently sit 11th in the table on 33 points after 27 matches, eyeing a push for Copa Libertadores qualification. However, with several teams below them still in the relegation mix, the margin for error remains tight heading into the final stretch.
Imray was stretchered off just 16 minutes into Blackpool’s 2-2 draw with Luton Town in League One, with the club later confirming the defender has suffered a torn meniscus.
Former manager Steve Bruce revealed Imray was set to undergo surgery on Saturday (6th October), with an initial recovery timeline of at least three months. The injury brings a frustrating halt to what had been a hugely promising start to life at Bloomfield Road.
“Unfortunately, he’s going to have to have an operation on his knee,” Bruce said. “He’s torn a meniscus, which in old terms is a cartilage… We think he’s going to be at least three months. Our immediate thoughts for Danny – he’s a young player, we can see the talent that he has got.”
Imray is expected to return to Palace for the initial stages of his recovery before a decision is made on next steps between both clubs.
Since joining the Seasiders, the young full-back has made a real impression, earning two Player of the Match awards and quickly becoming a fan favourite thanks to a string of dynamic performances down the right flank.
Everyone at Palace wishes Danny a smooth and speedy recovery.
Mustapha was an unused substitute in FC Nürnberg II’s 1-0 victory over VfB Eichstätt in the Regionalliga Bayern – the fourth tier of German football.
The weekend prior, Mustapha featured for 60 minutes in a 5-2 defeat to FC Illertissen. Nürnberg II remain in the hunt at the top end of the table, currently sitting second with 25 points from 12 matches – four behind leaders SpVgg Unterhaching.
Goodman returned to the Huddersfield Town starting XI in midweek, making his first appearance since suspension in their EFL Trophy clash against Harrogate Town.
Despite a solid showing from the shot-stopper, the Terriers fell to their first defeat in the competition following an early strike from Duke McKenna.
At the weekend, Huddersfield suffered their first league loss of the 25/26 season, falling 2-1 to Stockport County. Goals at the end of each half sealed the result for the hosts, with Bojan Radulovic’s late finish offering only a consolation.
Goodman was an unused substitute in that fixture, with Lee Nicholls retaining the starting spot in goal for the league encounter.
Akinwale was named among the substitutes for Eastbourne Borough’s National League South clash against Ebbsfleet United on Saturday.
Although he didn’t feature, Borough secured a dramatic late point, with Pemi Aderoju converting a stoppage-time penalty to earn a deserved 1-1 draw on the road.
