Alex MacDonald in actionBURTON Albion have extended the loan of winger Alex MacDonald for a further month after he impressed in his first six games for the club.
The 22-year-old will stay at the Pirelli Stadium for another 31 days after Burnley gave their blessing to the move.
“I’ve watched a lot of Alex when he was at Burnley and Plymouth and I’ve seen a lot of potential there,” said Brewers boss Gary Rowett. “He’s a good footballer, and a clever footballer.
“He’s benefited from this loan spell and when we first spoke there was talk of it becoming permanent.
“He needs to get out and play games and find his feet.”
MacDonald has steadily improved over his month with Albion after arriving on January 31.
“Alex is enjoying it at the club,” said Rowett. “At the moment it’s really worked well for both parties.
“As the month’s gone on, he’s got a little fitter and has got better and better.
“Morecambe was a stand-out game for him and he didn’t play too badly against Bristol Rovers either.”
There is good news for the Brewers on the injury front after Robbie Weir recovered from the heavy knock which forced him off during Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Bristol Rovers.
Jacques Maghoma, too, is fully fit after he only lasted an hour at the Memorial Stadium with the combined effects of an ankle injury and illness.
“Robbie trained today,” said Rowett last night. “He’s fit and is a strong lad.
“He got caught but it was just a kick – a 50-50 with no intent from either him or their lad.
“It looked a lot worse than it was.
“I was concerned at the time but he’s okay.”
Maghoma was under-par in Bristol, but there were reasons for the dip from Albion’s star man.
“Jacques wasn’t quite right on Saturday,” said Rowett. “I don’t think he was the only one.
“He hadn’t been well in the week either, which we didn’t know, and had his ankle problem.
“He’s trained and is all right.”
Nathan Stanton is yet to return to training after an injection in his troublesome knee but is pencilled in to return either on Friday or Monday.
Aaron Webster is still struggling to shake off the effects of a hamstring strain and has not trained yet this week.
Anthony O’Connor opened his knee ligaments up against Rovers but is not expected to suffer any lasting damage from it.
