In last week’s column I brought up the subject of Mason Bennett, and how I think he needs to go out on loan to give him experience, and improve his chances of eventually playing first team football at Derby.

This led me to start thinking about other Rams players who are out on loan this season, and how they might be enhancing their Rams prospects.

First to take the big leap was goalkeeper Kelle Roos, who went out on a season-long loan to Rotherham. This seemed like a good move move at the time, but in retrospect it may not have been such a good idea as Rotherham struggled last season, and were also likely to struggle this season.

Keeping for a struggling club must add high levels of pressure to any keeper, let alone a young one learning his trade. Roos eventually played four Championship matches and one in the League Cup; keeping two clean sheets, but also letting in four on two occasions.

Following a 4-2 defeat at QPR in late August, his loan was cut short and he returned to the Rams. Kelle looks like a promising young keeper; we can only hope any damage to his psyche caused by this move is not permanent.

Another who made the trip to Rotherham was teenage central defender Farrend Rawson; who was loaned until at least January. Rawson had a successful spell at Rotherham at the end of last season, and is again earning rave reviews from their fans this season.

The team was anchored at the foot of the table when Rawson played his first game in mid-September; his five starts have seen Rotherham gain two wins, a draw and two defeats. The two defeats have both been by 2-1, against Brighton and Burnley; so things seem to be looking up for the Millers.

Farrend Rawson should return to Derby in January as a much more accomplished player, and possibly ready to challenge for a first team place.

Another who joined a struggling side was Kwame Thomas, who has gone to Blackpool until January. Thomas has made one start each in League One, the League Cup and the Football League Trophy; as well as nine substitute appearances in the league.

In what has been an awful start for Blackpool until a recent upturn in form, Thomas has yet to score. We can only hope that Kwame Thomas is gaining useful experience from his time on the seaside.

Moving on to some more senior players, Spanish central defender Raul Albentosa went back to Spain on a season-long loan after failing to really impress at the end of last season. Albentosa has made three starts and one substitute appearance in the Spanish league, including close matches against Seville and Barcelona. His most recent appearance for Malaga was as far back as mid-September.

It would seem Albentosa has the experience to be a valuable player for the Rams, if that is what he wants to do, after reportedly struggling because of personal reasons. If he can sort out these issues and has a genuine desire to play in England, with another year on his contract after this season, perhaps there are grounds for thinking that he could yet contribute for the Rams.

Finally we have the enigma that is Conor Sammon. The big striker has gone to Sheffield United for a season-long loan and at one point, it looked as though Sammon had at last found his level in League One. Sammon has made nine league starts and two substitute appearances, scoring three goals.

But I note that in the Blades’ most recent match against Rochdale, Sammon was an unused substitute; so I hope United are not reaching the same conclusion everyone else has.

When Sammon made his Rams debut in August 2012, it was in a team that included Frank Fielding, Gareth Roberts, James O’Connor, Paul Coutts and Nathan Tyson, with the likes of Valentin Gjokaj (last heard of at Gateshead) and Conor Doyle on the bench. Sammon has outlasted not only all of those, but manager Nigel Clough and his successor Steve McClaren as well.

Conor’s seemingly never-ending Rams contract finally draws to a close next summer, and there can be little doubt we have seen the last of him in a Rams shirt. This is one loan player we cannot expect to see back at Derby, as he has clearly been in the shop window, rather than there being hope that his travels will eventually benefit the Rams first team.

As for the current Rams players, the international break is finally over and we play Wolves at home on Sunday.

Wolves are ninth, two points behind the Rams with a squad that includes the dangerous Benik Afobe, with five goals in ten matches. Wolves’ record is spotty as their wins have tended to come against the weaker sides in the division, but their last two matches have been 3-0 wins, which demands respect.

For me it has to be a Rams win, but it could well be close.

Photo: Action Images

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