5 Championship Loanees Who Could Make an Impact in the EPL This Season

The fiercely competitive environment of the Championship has always been a wonderful platform for young talents from the Premier League to pit their wits against seasoned professionals, and this season is no different with many players searching for minutes in a bid to claim a lucrative starting spot at their parent clubs.

An injection of extra quality can be the difference between success and failure for clubs at this level; so, there are never any shortage of bosses queuing up to introduce top-flight players into their squads on a short-term basis. 

Here are the top five loan stars currently plying their trade in the Championship who could go on to make a name for themselves in the Premier League later in the campaign.

Emmanuel Frimpong

Loan Club: Charlton Athletic

Parent Club: Arsenal

Age: 20

Charlton Athletic pulled off a coup when they persuaded the highly rated Frimpong to agree to a short-term spell at the Valley, one which will run until January 2013.

The Ghanaian midfielder is admired by Arsène Wenger and was a key part of the Arsenal midfield at the start of last season, a period in which the Gunners were besotted with injuries. 

A loan spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers followed, but his time in the Midlands was cut tragically short after Frimpong ruptured his cruciate ligament.

Now the powerful midfielder, who has been likened to Michael Essien, will try to continue putting in performances for Charlton in a bid to catch Wenger's eye. 

Robert Hall

Loan Club: Birmingham City

Parent Club: West Ham United

Age: 19

The West Ham United youngster was somewhat of an unknown quantity when he signed on a youth loan deal at Birmingham City in November, but his dazzling displays on the wing for the Blues have ensured that everyone knows who he is now.

At just over 6'0" tall and blessed with blinding pace, Hall has all the attributes needed for a modern-day winger and should go on to enjoy a successful career in the game.

With Hall loving his football so much in England's second city, he may benefit from extending his stay until the end of the season before his current deal expires in January. But with the Hammers currently struggling with injuries, he may well be needed back at Upton Park sooner rather than later. 

Chris Wood

Loan Club: Millwall

Parent Club: West Bromwich Albion

Age: 21

Baggies hitman Wood is no stranger to a spell out on loan, with Brighton and Hove Albion, Birmingham City and Bristol City among his former temporary clubs.

However, the New Zealand international has really made a name for himself during his most recent break away from the Hawthorns by banging in the goals for Millwall.

Wood has already registered eight goals at the New Den since joining in September, and according to the Daily Mail, his form has attracted a lot of admiring glances from other envious Championship outfits.

A permanent move away from the West Midlands may be in the offing once the January transfer window opens, but West Brom would be reluctant to lose a striker who is beginning to fulfil his undoubted potential. 

Jacob Butterfield

Loan Club: Bolton Wanderers

Parent Club: Norwich City

Age: 22

Talented midfielder Butterfield signed for Norwich City in the summer on a four-year contract but has so far struggled for match fitness following a ruptured cruciate ligament injury sustained whilst at Barnsley.

Chris Hughton decided to send his new recruit out on loan to Bolton Wanderers in an attempt to get some minutes under Butterfield's belt, and the former Manchester United youngster has repaid the Trotters with some wonderful performances.

Butterfield possesses a creative spark that should ensure that he is set for a long spell at the top, and his time at the Reebok Stadium should prove pivotal in his development.

The former Barnsley skipper will return to Carrow Road in early January and will push for a place in the starting lineup. 

D.J. Campbell

Loan Club: Ipswich Town

Parent Club: Queens Park Rangers

Age: 31

Although not at the start of his career like the other players mentioned in this article,  Campbell has been given a new lease of life whilst on loan at Ipswich Town.

The 31-year-old was frozen out at QPR in previous managerial regimes and took the opportunity to drop down to the Championship this year in a bid to revive his career.

The move has worked, with Campbell scoring eight goals so far during his spell in Suffolk and helping fire the Tractor Boys away from relegation danger.

Now, talkSPORT reports that Harry Redknapp has hinted that he would like to bring the former Blackpool man back into the first-team picture at Loftus Road as he plots the R's very own great escape.