After a solid debut season in the Championship last term, Burton Albion are well underway with preparations for the 2017/18 campaign.

Nigel Clough has made four permanent signings before July has rolled around, with Matty Lund, Liam Boyce, Stephen Warnock and Jake Buxton all joining.

Loan deals are likely to follow, although Clough has regularly spoken about the fact that they are often the later moves to be completed, with parent clubs keen to hold onto their players until their own squads are sorted.

Some of Albion's loan stars from last season have been on the move in the last few weeks, though, so we take a look at where each is ahead of the new season.

Chris O’Grady

Veteran striker Chris O’Grady was Albion's first loan signing of 2016/17 and spent the entirety of last season at the Pirelli.

Former Brewers loan striker Chris O'Grady

The focal point of the Brewers' attack in the first half of the campaign, he made 26 appearances and scored once - in the 2-1 victory at Rotherham United.

After being released by newly-promoted parent club Brighton & Hove Albion ahead of their Premier League debut, he signed a two-year deal with League Two side Chesterfield on Thursday.

Hamza Choudhury

Leicester City loanee Choudhury returned to his parent club midway through last season after his second stint with Albion.

He featured 13 times for the club but was unable to make quite the same impact he did as a holding midfielder in the 2015/16 promotion-winning campaign, where he ousted club stalwart Robbie Weir.

Choudhury went on to star for Leicester's under-23s last term and is still with the club ahead of the new season.

John Brayford

Currently a Sheffield United player, the versatile defender added valuable Championship experience to the Brewers last term, making 33 appearances after joining in August and going on to be named runner-up in the player-of-the-season vote.

John Brayford during his 2016/17 loan with Burton Albion

Blades manager Chris Wilder has made Brayford available for a permanent move this summer after strengthening United's right-back slot, and has suggested he could be bound for a return to the Brewers.

Jamie Ward

Northern Irishman Jamie Ward arrived on loan from fellow Midlands club Nottingham Forest, having previously spent time under boss Nigel Clough at Derby County.

He injected a goal-scoring touch up front for the Brewers, scoring four goals in 18 appearances - including an unforgettable overhead kick against Aston Villa.

Having signed a season-long loan deal initially, he returned to Forest in January and helped keep the Reds up on goal difference.

He has two years left on his contract at the City Ground ahead of the 2017/18 campaign.

Will Miller

Sent out on loan by Premier League title challengers Tottenham Hotspur, Miller would go on to make 16 outings for Albion, netting a crucial last-gasp equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Wolves.

His efforts at the Pirelli were recognised by Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, who gave him a second-half appearance in Tottenham's post-season friendly in Hong Kong, where he featured with the likes of Harry Kane and Dele Alli.

Will Miller in action for Tottenham Hotspur's U23s

Could be sent out on loan again next term to gain more senior experience.

Luke Murphy

Leeds United loanee Luke Murphy arrived in January, and had an instant impact, notching his first goal for the club later that month.

Forming an effective partnership alongside club favourite Jackson Irvine in midfield, the duo’s displays helped Albion stave off relegation.

Now, with a new manager in charge at Elland Road, he may return to the fold for the Whites this coming season.

Lasse Vigen Christensen

Denmark under-21 midfielder Christensen arrived from fellow Championship side Fulham alongside Cauley Woodrow in January, making 13 appearances over the course of the second half of the campaign and proving a dynamic attacker.

Since the season’s conclusion, he has appeared at the recent European Under-21 Championships, captaining Denmark as they failed to get out of their group despite victory over the Czech Republic, before losing out to Germany and Italy.

Cauley Woodrow

Another European Under-21 Championships performer, Woodrow spent the latter half of last season at the Pirelli, scoring five vital goals - all at the Pirelli - in 14 appearances before returning to London and his parent club Fulham.

Since then, he has gone on to make the trip to the Under-21 European Championships as part of the squad that was recently defeated in the semi-finals on penalties by Germany.

The Cottagers recently took up a one-year option on Woodrow's contract.

Michael Kightly

Winger Michael Kightly arrived on loan in January and was an instant hit with fans, scoring four goals in 12 appearances and dazzling on the wing.

He notched in each of his first three games.

Michael Kightly celebrates his winner for Burton Albion against Norwich City

Now a free agent after being released by parent club Burnley, he has been linked with a return to the Pirelli, although League One Southend are among several clubs also rumoured to be interested in the 31-year-old.