We’ll head to Europe for the start of our loan round-up and the Austrian Bundesliga where the end of season play-offs are well and truly underway.
Truth be told, we’re not entirely sure how the format works. From what we can gather, the top six play one another and so do the bottom six, which means that MARCEL RITZMAIER and PATRICK SCHMIDT will not be facing one another before the campaign draws to a close.
However, Ritzy was on hand to lay on an assist as Rapid Wien romped to a resounding 8-1 victory away at his former club Wolfsberger AC at the weekend. That result leaves Die Grün-Weißen second in the league, four points behind leaders RB Salzburg whom they host on Sunday.
At the other end of the table, Pipo wasn’t in the matchday squad as SV Ried beat Harberg 3-2 in their Group B encounter.
Staying on the continent and onto Slovakia where, once more, the league has had an end of season split. ISAAC CHRISTIE-DAVIES’ FC DAC team are currently second in the Fortuna Liga and 13 points behind runaway leaders Slovan Bratislava.
The Dunajská Streda-based side drew 3-3 with third place MŠK Žilina at the weekend and host Slovan on Sunday looking to close the gap at the summit. In the midst of all this, FC DAC have also progressed to the quarter-finals of the Slovak Cup where they face second division outfit Banská Bystrica.
On British shores, we move into Sky Bet League Two where JACK AITCHISON is on loan with Stevenage.
Alex Revell’s side are currently enjoying a Barnsley-esque 12-game unbeaten run, which has seen them climb from 21st to 13th in the table. With six games remaining, Stevenage are seven points outside the play-offs – a scant chance, but it’s football and anything can happen.
Jack has so far featured 22 times during his loan spell, primarily used as a substitute over the past couple of months.
Also in the fourth tier, DAN BRAMALL hasn’t appeared for Barrow since 21 February.
Journeying up the pyramid to League One, ELLIOT SIMOES came on as a second half substitute during Doncaster Rovers’ 2-1 defeat at Bristol Rovers on Easter Monday.
The Angolan forward has played 10 games in all competitions for Andy Butler’s side, who are 10th in the table and five points outside the play-offs with nine fixtures left to play.
Elsewhere, LUKE THOMAS remains unavailable for selection for Ipswich Town as he deals with personal issues away from the club.
Meanwhile, MATTY WOLFE is back at Oakwell to receive treatement.
