Standing in the 14th place, four points off the drop zone in the PL points table, 23 games into the season, David Wagner’s Huddersfield Town are doing a decent job in their first campaign in the top flight. They will look to add to their squad to make their position even safer but the manager is also keeping an eye out on the youngsters in the squad, that might have to be sent out on loan.
One player, they have sent out on loan yet again is young Jack Payne. The 23-year old joined the Terriers in 2016 but was loaned out to Oxford United, at the start of the current season. He made 28 appearances for the side, picking up three goals in the process but Wagner decided to cut his loan deal short this month.
He was recalled from his loan spell earlier in the week but the manager has now sent him back to League One, with a different club in Blackburn Rovers.
He was a part of the parent club when it was promoted last season and was also a part of the Southend United squad, that achieved League One promotion, not so long ago. At 23, he is no longer a player that can wait for his turn on the bench and the fact that Wagner has decided not to sell him, tells us volumes about the confidence he has in the 23-year old.
Known for his gifted technique, balance with the ball at his feet and immaculate vision, he is a central midfielder, comfortable playing in an attacking role. He has been effective in the midfield for Oxford for 34 games in all competitions and will be a big loss for the League One side.
He was often caught out of position in his time at the Kassam Stadium and his defensive discipline is something he can work on. The physical aspect of the game does not hassle him and if he can continue his development, he can be a star for the Terriers in the future.
The likes of Aaron Mooy and Jonathan Hogg play in this role regularly for Wagner at the moment while the likes of Tom Ince, Elias Kachunga and Van la Parra are first choice options in the attacking roles. In the future, Payne can play in any of these roles, preferably through the centre and the manager will hope that this move to Blackburn will be his final loan spell.
Rovers are currently 4th in the domestic points table and have a serious chance of promotion. If the Town midfielder can help them to the Championship, it will give him invaluable experience and confidence, which is exactly what Wagner needs. But can you see Jack Payne as a first-team star at the Kirklees Stadium?
