Reading should do all they can to keep Jeff Hendrick this summer - but wave goodbye to two of their loanees.

That's the opinion of Reading FC writer James Earnshaw, who takes a look at which summer transfers should stay and which should go come May.

 

With the transfer embargo still rumbling on, almost three years on from the Reading's last purchase involving cash, the club are restricted to loan deals and free transfers.

14 first team additions have been made throughout the course of the season, as well as youngsters like Michael Craig and John Clarke, six of which have been loan moves.

Reading Chronicle:

Five of Reading's six loans have been at the club since the summer, with Cesare Casadei playing 50 minutes on his debut last weekend against Watford.

As Championship safety draws ever nearer on the horizon, no doubt attention will begin to turn to next season and whether there are any deals to be struck in keeping temporary players long-term.

Take a look below at who we feel has impressed so far this season.

Joe Lumley: Keep

A very difficult player to assess, the on-loan Middlesbrough stopper is very much one where the eye test makes for better reading than the stastitics.

Only bottom club Wigan Athletic have conceded more goals than Reading, with Lumley letting in 40 goals in 26 league appearances.

Naturally, blame will get pointed at the keeper, and there have been occasions where they have been mainly his fault (Rotherham United away), and the 27-year-old would hold his hands up to that I'm sure.

However, he has been behind a back-line which let in a whopping 88 goals last season, and are on track to concede another 70 this time around. 

He has, especially in recent weeks, pulled off some blinding saves from all over the pitch- single-handedly keeping the side in the match against West Brom on January 2.

When facing 11 shots per game, on average, the keeper is bound to let in a goal.

Still under contract with the Teessiders for next season, a fee would have to change hands to keep him in Berkshire.

Obviously depending on the fee agreed, Lumley has shown in this second half the season that he has good saves in him and is a solid keeper at this level.

Reading Chronicle:

Baba: Let go

Arriving for a second loan spell this summer after being a regular in a defence that conceded 88 goals last time out, fans were (unironically) excited for the return of Baba.

Unfortunately, his performances have not quite lived up to the expectations of supporters.

Averaging the same amount of tackles and interceptions as opposite wing-back Junior Hoilett, but without the attacking threat that the Canada international brings, leaves the team looking occasionally lop-sided when attacking with width.

Still with one year left on his deal with Chelsea, another loan move looks inevitable next season.

After what will be two years in Berkshire, I feel there are more effective options worth pursuing.

Left out of the squad on Saturday due to the EFL rules on only alloweing five loan players per matchday squad, it would appear that perhaps the boss agrees.
 

Tyrese Fornah: Keep

A big bundle of energy, the supporters have really taken to the Nottingham Forest youngster in his short-time at the club.

Still only 23 and with limited appearances in first team football to his name, the youngster is incredibly gifted and is hard to shake off the ball when in full flight.

Contributing a single goal and an assist from midfield are figures Paul Ince would no doubt like the build on, however he has been playing deep for the majority of this season.

His 24 appearances so far this season will have improved him no end, although with his age comes a lack of consistency.

If he can continue picking up minutes this season, the opportunity of bringing back a mature Fornah, and perhaps let off his defensive duties more frequently, could be an exciting acquisition.

Providing Forest stay in the Premier League, a crucial loan move could be in the offing during his final year of his current deal.

Mamadou Loum: Let go

Anyone who arrives from European giants Porto has a bit of excitement attached to his arrival, and Loum was no different.

Looking an absolute world-beater in his early appearances, unfortunately that has been as good as it has gotten so far in his Royals career as performances have gone off the boil as of late.

Popping up with a goal against Bristol City was a highlight, but his ability to pick up silly yellow cards and his sometimes laissez-faire attitude to ball possession has frustrated the fanbase.

An incredibly talented individual who has all the physical and technical attributes to forge a good career in the game, he has a knack of holding on to the ball for too long or missing the intended target.

No midfielder has a worse pass succession rate, with only keepers Joe Lumley and Dean Bouzanis joining the likes of Andy Carroll and Yakou Meite in falling below Loum’s 75.8 per cent completion.

Add to this his knack for bookings, with the 26-year-old currently serving a two-game ban for picking up 10 yellow cards, there are likely better options in the summer- particularly if the embargo is lifted.

Jeff Hendrick:  Keep

A very difficult one to judge, before Christmas many would have not been too bothered should the Newcastle United midfielder not return. However he has come back from the World Cup break like a man possessed.

Five goal contributions and a Man of the Match performance has vindicated Ince’s trust in the experienced Republic of Ireland international, with no player having played more minutes than Hendrick and now only Thomas Ince being involved in more goals.

Failing to impact the match in terms of goals, and hardly a defensive-minded player, the eye-test for the first half of the season regularly saw him pigeon-holed as a runner and workhorse, but if Ince can continue to get the best out of the former Derby County favourite in front of goal, the 31-year-old is well-worth a look at over the summer.