Widespread postponements in the Football League limited West Ham United’s loanees action over the festive period, with Frederik Alves the only loanee Hammer involved since Christmas Day.
The Denmark U21 international featured in the Black Cats’ thumping 5-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday in League One over the New Year weekend.
Making his ninth competitive appearance of the season last Thursday, Alves came on for the final ten minutes of the win with his side already five goals to the good and on course to keep pace with division leaders Rotherham United.
Having helped his side see out a clean sheet, Alves will hope to be involved in the Black Cats’ next fixture: a trip to fellow promotion-chasing Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday afternoon.
Elsewhere, goalkeeper Nathan Trott was on the bench for AS Nancy as the Ligue 2 side sprung a Coupe de France upset on Sunday, knocking out Ligue 1 high-flyers Rennes on penalties in the Round of 32.
The 23-year-old has been first-choice for Nancy in the league but has tended to begin French Cup games on the bench, with 29-year-old Baptiste Valette deputising in the shock win at Stade Marcel Picot.
A 1-1 draw was secured by AS Nancy courtesy of a 78th-minute equaliser by Mickaël Biron, paving the way for a 4-3 win on spot-kicks over the heavy favourites.
Having made it through four rounds of the lengthy competition, Nancy will now look forward to a Round of 16 draw later in the Spring.
Elsewhere, forward Ademipo Odubeko and goalkeeper Joseph Anang have returned from their respective loan spells at Championship team Huddersfield Town and League Two side Stevenage.
Odubeko made six appearances for the Terriers in total, whilst Anang played 18 times during his spell at the Lamex Stadium, keeping five clean sheets.
