The Fulham loanee round-up – December 2024
Written by
George Rossiter
on
8th January 2025
With the next generation of our football club cutting their teeth throughout the Football League and further afield, here’s an update on how they’re all getting on.
Luke Harris – Birmingham City – English League One
Harris has struggled for game time since an ankle injury sustained early on in the season. Finding his place in a strong Birmingham squad after being out of the equation for a number of weeks has been difficult for the Welshman, but he did at least play a part in every game in December, though mostly as a sub, as Birmingham went unbeaten for the month, gaining 16 out of 18 points in the league and progressing through to round three of the FA Cup.
Luca Ashby-Hammond – Gillingham – English League Two
Not much to say here, unfortunately. The 23-year old and former England under-20 international has really struggled to impress in Kent this season so far, playing just 18 minutes in League Two. In December, he only managed to make the matchday squad on one occasion.
Devan Tanton – Chesterfield – English League Two
Tanton didn’t make a Chesterfield squad in December despite a run of games at right back in November. Their manager, Paul Cook, has cited previously this season that Tanton has struggled at times with adapting to consistent first-team training and games and has picked up a number of small muscle injuries.
Matt Dibley-Dias – Northampton Town – English League One
After impressing so much in Fulham’s academy and earning a first New Zealand callup to the senior team, to only see ‘MDD’ make three league matchday squads all season, including five minutes off the bench against Peterborough in December, is extremely disappointing. Another that evidently keeps picking up small injuries.
Harvey Araujo – Chesterfield – English League Two
Unlike Tanton, Araujo has made a great impression at times with Chesterfield and had adapted well to first team men’s football. He started every league two game for them in December, showing his versatility across the month by playing at both left back and centre back. Those appearances included wins over Tranmere, Carlisle and Wimbledon. He also played the full 90 in an impressive 3-2 victory over high-flying Wigan from the league above In the EFL Trophy.
Terry Ablade – Partick Thistle – Scottish Championship
Ablade struggled horrendously with injuries on loan at Carlisle last season, so seeing him play any form of football this season is a big positive. In December, he came off the bench in all four of Partick’s league fixtures, of which they won two and lost two. The Fin forward hasn’t scored since the opening day of the season.
Connor Mcavoy – Ayr United – Scottish Championship
The Scotland U21 international, who plays at centre back, is yet to play any football this season, sadly. After returning to playing following a year out through injury in February 2024, it’s gutting for Mcavoy that he sustained a serious ankle injury in the early weeks of the season in training which will keep him out of action long-term once again.
Oliver Sanderson – Bradford City – English League Two
Had started the season really well and in goal-scoring form up north before falling out of favour. Rumours were suggesting a fall-out with manager Graham Alexander, which Alexander rubbished in the media. Sanderson was named on the bench for five of Bradford’s six league fixtures in December, coming on in two of them, while he also started at home to Barrow in a 1-1 draw.
Adrion Pajaziti – HNK Gorica – Croatian First Division (SuperSport HNL)
Becoming a bit of a theme sadly, but Pajaziti is also out of action right now, after making a positive impression in Croatia to start the season. The midfielder came off injured in a league game against NK Istra at the end of October and is yet to return after being diagnosed with a torn thigh muscle.
Callum McFarlane – Wealdstone – English National League
Slightly confusing situation with McFarlane. He’d started the season relatively well for a struggling Wealdstone side but since the middle of October, the forward has not made a matchday squad. With no publicised news of an injury or recall to his parent club, we cannot be too sure why he is currently not involved.
