Wolves recently sanctioned the exit of Joe Hodge – and the midfielder made quite the impression on his Queens Park Rangers debut.
After struggling for minutes under Gary O’Neil, the 21-year-old was desperate to be sent out on loan so he could make an impression elsewhere.
Joe Hodge only featured twice for Wolves this term, playing 55 minutes in their 5-0 thrashing of Blackpool in the Carabao Cup and 70 minutes in the FA Cup replay against Brentford.
With the likes of Mario Lemina, Joao Gomes, Boubacar Traore and Tommy Doyle all above him in the pecking order, it was always going to be difficult for him to break into the starting XI, especially in the Premier League.
He was granted his wish to be sent on loan as Queens Park Rangers snapped him up on deadline day – and he made his debut for the club today.
How Joe Hodge fared on his Queens Park Rangers debut
Unsurprisingly, after signing just two days earlier, Hodge started on the bench for QPR’s away clash against Blackburn Rovers.
The Hoops ran out 2-1 winners at Ewood Park in what was their first victory there in 25 years, and the Republic of Ireland U21 star had a huge impact on the result.
He was introduced in the 57th minute, replacing Lyndon Dykes, and he made an instant impression.
QPR forward Sinclair Armstong played him through down the left channel and Hodge finessed his shot superbly into the bottom right corner to give his side a 2-0 lead.
While it’s been a tough season for the youngster with injuries, he will feel on top of the world after scoring his first senior goal and his all-round game topped off what was a fine debut.
According to Sofascore, he won two of his three ground duels, completed 83% of his passes and made one tackle.
Hodge, however, wasn’t the only Wolves loanee who has made the headlines today as striker Fabio Silva impressed for Rangers.
Fabio Silva scores his first goal for Rangers
After finding himself in a similar position to Hodge, on the periphery of the action, Silva thought it was best if he played his football elsewhere.
He enjoyed loan spells at Anderlecht and PSV Eindhoven last term and was sent out on loan once more in the January transfer window – this time to Rangers.
The Portuguese striker failed to find the net on his first two appearances for the Scottish giants, but it would prove to be third time lucky today as he scored his first goal at Ibrox in a 3-0 victory over Livingston.
The ball ricocheted to him in the box and he instinctively smashed the ball into the back of the net.
Hopefully, this can be the start of a productive loan spell for the youngster.