Loan Watch: Amad continues to shine

The 20-year-old is going from strength to strength at his temporary club and is now up to seven goal involvements (six goals, one assist) in his 19 appearances for the Black Cats. 

Prior to the New Year, the versatile attacker scored a wonderful long-range strike to seal a thumping 4-1 win over Wigan, as Sunderland continue to climb the Championship table. 

Amad was was most recently involved in the Wearsiders' narrow 1-1 draw against Blackpool on New Year's Day, and was unlucky not to register another goal involvement after continually getting the better of the opposition’s backline. 

Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray has often expressed his delight with Amad’s progression, dubbing him as one of his "main players" this term.

Dean Henderson was not in action for Forest when we beat Steve Cooper's 3-0 at Old Trafford due to Premier League guidelines preventing him from playing against his parent club, but he was reinstated to the line-up when they faced Chelsea on New Year's Day.

Despite the London club dominating, it was a relatively quiet afternoon at the back for Forest as Graham Potter’s side managed just two efforts on goal. But a commanding display from Henderson saw to it that Forest picked up a crucial point in their fight at the bottom of the table.

Hannibal Mejbri is continuing to make his mark at Birmingham, becoming a regular in the starting XI under boss John Eustace. 

After two losses on the bounce to Burnley and Hull City - both of which Hannibal started in - the Tunisian will be looking to help his loan club get back to winning ways in their first fixture of the new year against Middlesbrough, who are coached by former United player and coach Michael Carrick. 

Also in the Championship, young full-back Alvaro Fernandez has been enjoying life with Preston North End, recording two assists in the league so far this season. 

Despite Fernandez's impact, his side go into Monday’s game against Stoke City on the back of three defeats. Our young wing-back played the full 90 of Preston's 2-0 defeat to West Brom on 30 December, and will no doubt be striving to help his side bounce back against the Potters.

Elsewhere in the Championship, Ethan Laird’s QPR side are also struggling for form and have managed just the two wins in their last 11 games – picking up two draws in that run, too. 

With three goal involvements in his stint in the capital so far, Laird could be a difference maker when QPR face second-placed Sheffield United on Monday, in a game that could be crucial for their push to get back in the play-off spaces.

In Ligue 1, Eric Bailly came off the bench for Marseille in their 6-1 thumping of Toulouse. The Ivorian spent a spell on the sidelines but is now back in action for the French club, and is impressing. 

Ethan Galbraith played for Salford City as they were narrowly beaten 3-2 by Bradford City in League Two on Sunday, while Will Fish travels to Hearts with Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League on Monday.