The loan system is a highly useful, and sometimes vital, tool for clubs operating below the riches of the top flight.
It offers clubs the ability to either try before they buy or in most cases, borrow prodigious young talents who are just finding their feet in the game. You only have to look at the current England squad to see the benefits the loan system provides. Three Lions' regulars such as Harry Kane, Jack Grealish and Mason Mount all experienced loan spells in the EFL before going on to become established stars in the Premier League and for their country.
This season has seen a total of 109 loan signings made by the 24 clubs in the Championship. The busiest side in that regard has been Birmingham City, who have made eight loan additions. They signed four in the summer and four in January, although three of the original signings returned to their parent clubs in the New Year. There is just one club in the second tier that has not made a single loan signing at all - Bristol City.
Here, we pick out five players on temporary spells that have really caught the eye this season in the Championship.
Benik Afobe
The well-travelled forward signed for Millwall on a season-long loan from Stoke City, eight years after his first spell with the Lions.
Now 29, Afobe is the highest-scoring loanee in the second tier this season with 10 goals so far. His manager Gary Rowett is a big fan of Afobe and believes the striker will not be content to rest easy now he's reached double figures: “I don’t think Benik will be. I certainly think he should have had more goals because I know what he’s capable of. I’ve said it before, I think he’s every bit as good as the majority of the top, top strikers in this division."
He is currently in a purple patch with four goals in four games as Millwall look to spring a surprise and gatecrash the play-offs. They are four points adrift of sixth spot, with five matches left to play.
Levi Colwill
The Chelsea centre-half arrived at Huddersfield Town in the summer as a relative unknown. But his name is certainly on many people's lips now, having played a huge part in the Terriers' renaissance as a Championship force.
Monday night saw Colwill, 19, help Town record another clean sheet in a crucial 2-0 win over promotion rivals Luton. That was his 26th league appearance and his maturity and calmness on the ball belies his age.
His form this season has won him a call-up to England's under-21s side and he is being tipped for big things back at Chelsea next season.
James Garner
Midfielder Garner is in his second temporary spell with Nottingham Forest but this season has seen him turn his performances up a couple of notches.
The Manchester United youngster signed a fresh, long-term deal at Old Trafford prior to being sent back out to the City Ground and following Steve Cooper's appointment in September, Garner has shone.
He has been dictating matches, providing wicked deliveries and chipping in with valuable assists and goals - nine combined at the current count. He has played a big part in Forest being right in the mix for promotion as they look to end a long absence away from the Premier League.
Morgan Gibbs-White
The Wolves talent has shone for Sheffield United this season, often providing the Blades with the sprinkling of magic to edge tight contests.
Gibbs-White has nine goals and seven assists and has been key to Paul Heckingbottom's side marching up the table after a slow start. He is likely to be a big part of what division United end up in next season, provided they qualify for the play-offs.
Wolves cleverly tied Gibbs-White down to a long-term contract prior to loaning him out this season, meaning he could fetch a big fee in the summer should the Molineux outfit decide to cash in.
Djed Spence
Not many people would have tipped a wing-back signing on loan from a divisional rival to be in contention for the Championship player of the season award.
But Spence has been superb since swapping Middlesbrough for Forest back in September. The 21-year-old's fine form recently earned him the Skybet Championship player of the month award for March. Reflecting on that win, Forest boss Steve Cooper said: "The award is good recognition for an impressive month of March for Djed, but we have really enjoyed working with him ever since he joined the club.
"He has been an important player for us this season and he has really committed to our way of playing. It is important that he keeps his focus, concentrates on continuing his development and strives for more achievements in the future."
That concentration may be key as Spence has constantly been linked with a big-money summer move to some of Europe's biggest clubs. If he can aid Forest's promotion quest, his value will only increase in what could be an exciting summer for Spence.
Championship loanees
- Number of loanees currently at each Championship club (total number of loanees signed this season)
Barnsley - 4 (4)
Birmingham City - 5 (8)
Blackburn Rovers - 5 (6)
Blackpool - 2 (5)
Bournemouth - 5 (6)
Bristol City - 0 (0)
Cardiff - 5 (6)
Coventry 2 (2)
Derby - 1 (1)
Fulham - 1 (2)
Huddersfield - 3 (4)
Hull City - 5 (7)
Luton Town - 2 (2)
Middlesbrough - 4 (5)
Millwall - 5 (5)
Nottingham Forest - 5 (6)
Peterborough - 5 (6)
Preston - 4 (4)
QPR - 4 (4)
Reading - 4 (5)
Sheffield United - 5 (6)
Stoke - 6 (7)
Swansea - 3 (5)
West Brom - 2 (3)
