Loan watch

Tom Carroll earned his first Premier League start for Swansea City as the bulk of our loanees return to action after the international break at the weekend.

Midfielder Tom, whose only previous top flight showing for the Swans was as a late substitute in a 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion back in August, lined up for his loan side in their 2-1 defeat at Stoke City on Sunday, playing 65 minutes before being replaced as part of a double change by boss Garry Monk.

In the Championship, Alex Pritchard played the whole game as Brentford battled out a goalless draw at Wigan Athletic while Ryan Fredericks played 90 minutes for Middlesbrough in their 2-1 win at Brighton & Hove Albion. Milos Veljkovic was on the bench for Boro, having linked up with them last week, while Grant Hall was an unused substitute for Birmingham City as they lost 1-0 at home to Bolton Wanderers.

Kenny McEvoy went on in the 78th minute of Peterborough United’s 2-1 home victory over Barnsley in League One while Jordan Archer was in goal for Northampton Town as they lost by the odd goal in five at Cheltenham Town in League Two. Shaq Coulthirst was on the bench for Southend United as they were held to a 1-1 home draw by Exeter City in the same division.

In Germany, Lewis Holtby played 90 minutes for Hamburg as they drew 1-1 at home to Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga while, in the States, Grant Ward was a late substitute for Chicago Fire in their 2-1 MLS defeat at DC United.