James Balagizi, a young Liverpool player out on loan to Wigan, has only appeared in three of a potential 11 league games.
Balagizi was one of the most gifted young players to leave Liverpool on loan in the summer, but he has struggled to convert that talent into playing time.
The 20-year-old followed up a promising stint at Crawley last time around that was unfortunately cut short by injury by signing a season-long contract with Wigan.
Balagizi, who joined a Latics team that is struggling at the bottom of League One, was left out of the matchday squad for the fifth time in Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Stevenage and has not been able to accumulate the minutes he needs.
Balagizi had only played against senior competition four times this season, including 45 minutes in a 2-1 loss to Burton Albion four days earlier.
The dynamic midfielder has only played 86 minutes in total across three League One games, but a January return to Liverpool is expected.
Luca Stephenson had a better weekend elsewhere, as evidenced by the Man of the Match award he received for Barrow’s 1-1 draw with Notts County after coming off the bench after just 13 minutes.
Tyrell Warren was replaced by Stephenson early in the first half, and he displayed an active midfield performance.
While Fabio Carvalho and Nat Phillips came off the bench for RB Leipzig and Celtic, respectively, Tyler Morton played another 90 minutes for Hull as they drew 2-2 with Millwall.
