Jeff Hendrick bagged a superb striker to rescue a point for Reading against high flyers Watford. A beautifully-hit volley from a corner was his third goal in four games and saved the day for the Royals.
As it stands, Newcastle United are suffering a midfield crisis and Hendrick’s strike was as good as any scored in the Championship this weekend. The 31-year-old is representing Reading alongside former Toon striker Andy Carroll, who missed the 2-2 draw as he served a suspension for being sent off at Manchester United.
Elsewhere on loan watch, Chris Wood continues to look impotent in the final third. Just seven goals in his previous 52 Premier League games is a poor return and he was hooked with 20 minutes to spare during Nottingham Forest’s win over Leeds United.
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Another forward, Garang Kuol, was forced to settle for another runout from the bench. The 18-year-old is yet to start a game - or score a goal - at Hearts but he did feature in the scrappy 3-1 victory against Dundee United. Both sides were reduced to 10 men and the Australian international even received a booking.
Isaac Hayden, as has been the case for most of the season, missed Norwich’s 3-0 home defeat to Championship leaders Burnley. The midfielder is yet to make an appearance so far in 2023.
Likewise, Ciaran Clark has endured hamstring problems in 2022-23 and was sidelined for Sheffield United’s goalless draw at Rotherham. Karl Darlow also watched from the bench as Matt Ingram kept his place between the Hull City sticks - a justified decision as he earned a clean sheet in the 1-0 win over Cardiff. Kelland Watts also did not play, with the Alnwick-born defender set to miss the rest of Peterborough United’s season with a torn hamstring.
