Stockport County have suffered a drop in-form in recent games, heading further towards the January transfer window but could they be set for a major boost following the return of one of their players?
Dave Challinor’s side currently find themselves fifth in League One although they have lost three of their previous four matches in all competitions and have slipped to nine points behind the automatic promotion places.
The club have just three matches between now and the opening of the January transfer window, with all three being difficult fixtures on paper for the newly promoted side.
However, could Stockport be set to receive a significant boost which could correct their form and push them back towards the automatic promotion places once again.
Mellon returns to the scoresheet
During the summer, Stockport County completed the loan signing of Burnley forward Michael Mellon but a lengthy injury saw his game time heavily impacted in League One.
Mellon had previously only featured three times for Stockport County since making the move, but in the club’s most recent EFL Trophy match, he made his long-awaited return.
However, the terms of his loan deal mean that Mellon can continue to feature for Burnley’s U21s whilst he’s playing for Stockport and its here where he has made a return to the scoresheet.
Burnley’s U21s hosted Hull City in their final Professional Development League match of 24 and inside the opening 37 minutes, Mellon struck a stunning free-kick to make it 2-0, with the Clarets going on to win 4-0.
Could Stockport opt to extend Mellon’s deal?
Currently, Michael Mellon is on loan with Stockport County until January 1st, but a couple of factors could see that play into the League One side’s hands.
Firstly, their recent run of form has seen them lose three out of four, with none of their recent goals being scored by a striker, therefore seeing Mellon return to the scoresheet could tempt them into extending the deal.
The continued speculation surrounding Louie Barry’s future at Stockport County is another factor that could tempt the club into extending his contract in League One.
If Barry were to depart to the Championship, it would see the club lose their star player and the person who has been responsible for the man who has scored 43.75% of their league goals so far.
This would be a significant blow to Stockport County’s current play-off aspirations, even despite the confirmed arrival of Icelandic forward Benoný Breki Andrésson.
Stockport fans, has Mellon done enough to warrant a loan extension or would you rather him return to Turf Moor?
