Do you think there is any significance in the fact that it is such a short term loan? Meaning..... he may be seen as close to challenging for the first team on his return?
At his age it's unusual to get a long term deal, it'll be a youth loan more than likely which means he's still available for our u21's games and usually the player still trains with the parent club. I'm also guessing we won't want him away too long due to his injury issues over the last 12mths or so.
I'm convinced Ryan will one day be a regular 1st team player but at 19 he needs to be playing competitively at a higher level than u21's, this will give him the chance to experience first hand what it means to play professional football, fighting relegation and where every point counts.
Personally I think this is more Brendan preparing for next season. If (when) we qualify for Europe we'll need as many young players as possible to have had some 1st team experience, not necessarily with us. We're hardly going to 'fill out' the squad by buying half a dozen or more players, they'll come from the Academy but they need more than just training at Melwood and the odd bench appearance.
Also as we get nearer to May we need our strongest squad available for selection every week so I'd be very surprised if any youngsters who haven't already featured to get a game. Unless we're totally depleted with injuries or completely out of the CL qualification places that is.
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