Sheffield United sent out goalkeeper Jake Eastwood to Scunthorpe in the summer.
With Chris Wilder securing a deal to bring back Dean Henderson, Eastwood was always going to struggle for game time at Bramall Lane. Simon Moore is there as the regular back-up, while the Blades also signed Michael Verrips to bolster the ranks.
Over the last few years, United have been quite blessed in the goalkeeping department. Aaron Ramsdale broke through before being sold to Bournemouth. He has since gone on to become the number one for the Cherries under Eddie Howe. Prior to that, George Long came through the ranks and performed admirably for a number of seasons. This, before Wilder opted to sign the aforementioned Simon Moore.
At 23, Eastwood is actually older than current Blades number one, Dean Henderson.
But with Henderson likely to return to Manchester United at the end of the season and Moore and Verrips untested at Premier League level, Eastwood will be doing all he can to catch the eye of Chris Wilder.
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So, how is Jake Eastwood getting on at Scunthorpe United?
After initially struggling to get into the team, Eastwood has actually cemented his place in the starting XI of late. He’s started the last four games, keeping three clean sheets and only conceding the one goal. Indeed, in his last appearance prior to these four games, he kept a clean sheet in a 35-minute cameo.
Scunthorpe won out at Forest Green Rovers last time out. Eastwood was instrumental in the win, getting the star man award from the local press.
It’s clear to see that Eastwood’s stock is growing the more games he gets under his belt.
Good news for Sheffield United
The Blades have a number of players out on loan at the moment. The main objective of sending them out on loan is to ensure they get game-time, especially for the younger players.
Eastwood might not be a youngster per se given his age, but in goalkeeping terms, he still has years ahead of him. The fact he is cementing himself at a club like Scunthorpe is testament to his ability.
This can only be a good thing for Sheffield United heading into the immediate future. A big summer will lie ahead for the club in terms of who they get in to become their new number one.
Jake Eastwood, then, is doing himself no harm by performing as he is at Glandford Park.