Karim Rekik has chalked up two starts for Blackburn Rovers in the last week as he strives to gain as much experience as possible in his loan spell.

The Dutch defender was handed his Rovers debut last Tuesday in a 2-0 defeat to Hull and was on the pitch for just under an hour.

He also played the full 90 minutes at the weekend for his new club as they drew 0-0 at Ewood Park to fellow playoff-chasers, Leeds United.

“I hope we can push on to the play-offs and get promotion in the end but also I want to learn as a player and come back to City as a starting XI player,” Rekik said.

“I’m 18 now and I think as a young player you need to play every weekend to become a better player. That’s very important in your football career.”

Chesterfield also handed their new City loanee, Alex Henshall, a debut appearance this weekend after his move to the Proact Stadium last week.

The midfielder was an early second half sub, and saw nearly 40 minutes of League Two action as his new side lost narrowly 1-0 to top of the table Gillingham.

Jeremy Helan came on for the last 30 minutes for Sheffield Wednesday, as the Owls snatched a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace.

Jeremy Helan during his loan spell with Sheffield Weds

Adam Drury also started on the bench for Burton Albion, but entered the action in the 66th minute as Burton enjoyed a 4-2 victory over Exeter City to remain in the automatic promotion places.

Wayne Bridge played as Brighton boosted their play-off hopes with a 1-0 victory over Burnley at the Amex Stadium.

North of the border, Ryan McGivern completed another 90 minutes for Hibs as they drew 2-2 away to Dundee in the Scottish Premier League. Although the young defender conceded a penalty, he will feel disappointed because replays showed the foul to have been outside the box.

Ryan McGivern

At Blackpool, Reece Wabara was an unused substitute as the Seasiders could only manage a goalless stalemate with Leicester, meaning new boss Paul Ince is still awaiting his first victory.

The young defender will be hoping for more regular action in this loan spell as Blackburn try to arrest a slide down the table.

Striker Alex Nimely continues to sit out fixtures at Crystal Palace with a hamstring injury. In his absence this week, the Londoners lost 1-0 to Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend and beat Bristol Rovers seven days ago.

On the continent, Roque Santa Cruz remained on the bench as Malaga were thrashed 3-0 by Real Betis, while Luca Scapuzzi did not feature at all for Varese, who went down 2-0 to Verona.

In Germany, Omar Elabdellaoui enjoyed another 90 minutes as his loan spell with Eintracht Braunschweiger continues to be a success, despite the 2.Bundesliga side losing 2-1 to 1860 Munchen.

Abdi Ibrahim and Godsway Donyoh continue to wait for the start of the Norwegian and Swedish seasons respectively for some match action.