Stoke City player tipped for exit - it 'isn't going to suit Spurs' | OneFootball

Jamie Donley has struggled since his loan move to Stoke City from Tottenham Hotspur

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Jamie Donley tore apart League One with Leyton Orient last season, but since joining Stoke City on loan this summer in the Championship, things haven't exactly panned out the way anyone would have hoped.

Born in Northern Ireland but having grown up in Colchester, Donley joined the youth system of Tottenham Hotspur in 2013 and has progressed through the ranks with the Lilywhites, emerging as one of the club's hottest prospects.

The 20-year-old had scored prolifically for Spurs' youth side and earned a move to League One outfit Leyton Orient at the beginning of last season, in what was his first full taste of consistent senior football, and he did not disappoint.

Donley hit eight goals and ten assists in 39 third-tier games across the season, as Orient narrowly lost out in the play-off final to London rivals Charlton Athletic.

The highlight of his stay at Brisbane Road had to be his long-range effort against Manchester City in the FA Cup, which looped over Stefan Ortega in the Citizens' net, crashing off the crossbar on the way in.

Following his strike, City manager Pep Guardiola said, "When you concede this goal, it is just to congratulate the guy. I think it was Donley. He is an incredible left-foot player.

Expectations were set high for Donley, who drew interest from numerous Championship clubs this summer, but it would be Mark Robins' Stoke side that would get his signature. Though, since his move, it hasn't at all worked out.

Jamie Donley has barely featured on loan for Stoke City this season

Football League World's Stoke fan pundit, Pete, has shared their thoughts on whether they can see Donley heading back to Spurs this January, given his lack of game time, and how he has performed in the limited minutes that he has received.

Pete said, "I think it's widely expected by Stoke fans that he will be recalled by Spurs in January.

"He's found himself behind Lewis Baker, Bae Jun-Ho, and even Tomas Rigo, who can play in the number ten position, and I just don't see, barring any injuries, how he's going to get into the team, which obviously isn't going to suit Spurs; that's the reason why they sent him out.

"In terms of his actual performances, he's only played once, and that was at home to Bradford in the League Cup. We lost 3-0; it was easily our worst performance of the season, and other than the assist that he got on the opening day against Derby, he hasn't really shown anything in the very limited time that he has had.

"I think it would probably make sense for all concerned if he were to go back to Spurs and probably head out on loan to a different club for the rest of the season."

Jamie Donley will likely be recalled in January following an underwhelming spell with Stoke City

It is more likely than not that Donley will be recalled from his loan spell with Stoke this January.

The attacking-midfielder has made just four league appearances for the Potters this season, accumulating just 77 minutes of Championship football in that time.

His last appearance came in Stoke's 2-0 away defeat to Millwall in October, and since then, he has either been named on the bench or, more recently, not been named in the squad at all.

Donley has been left out of the matchday squad for the Potters' three most recent league fixtures, against Bristol City, Oxford United, and Coventry City. With no news surrounding any potential injuries, it merely appears as though he has fallen out of favour under Robins.

Each of Lewis Baker, Bae Jun-Ho, and Tomas Rigo have all appeared in the number ten role on occasion this season, leaving Donley's minutes severely limited.

Should this not change upon the return of the international break, it is difficult to see a scenario where the Northern Irishman remains in the Potteries for the rest of the campaign.