Niclas Füllkrug scored twice from the penalty spot as Werder Bremen defeated Mainz 3-2 in the Bundesliga. He has now scored eight goals in seven games in the division this campaign. He is the top scorer in Germany's top flight, currently four goals ahead of Harry Kane.
It is a remarkable turnaround for Füllkrug, who struggled at West Ham and on a subsequent loan at AC Milan. The Bundesliga suits him, and he has always been prolific in the league. The striker has not played for Germany since last year, but surely a recall to the national team will be in stall at the next international break.
Due to his record in East London, West Ham will want to get him off their books. His current deal with Werder Bremen is a straight loan, but they will, of course, want to make it permanent. Werder are currently sixth in the Bundesliga, and only five points off the leaders, Borussia Dortmund.
Füllkrug's side faces Dortmund in the DFB-Pokal on Wednesday night. When the two sides met earlier in the season, Füllkrug scored a late equaliser against his former club.
Other West Ham loanees were in action
Jean-Clair Todibo is still not fully fit, as he had to come off after 61 minutes as RC Lens defeated Paris FC 2-1 in Ligue 1. The defender's time with Lens so far has been difficult. However, at least he is still being chosen to start games. He is also on a straight loan away from West Ham, but after his falling-out with Nuno Espírito Santo, there is likely no way back for him with the Hammers.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is on loan at Aston Villa, who have an obligation to buy him. However, he is currently out of action with a hamstring injury. Without him, Villa still managed to defeat Manchester City 2-1. Unai Emery's side are now eighth in the Premier League.
Villa play AFC Bournemouth next Wednesday in the EFL Cup. This will be a tough game, as the Cherries have just defeated AC Milan and Manchester United, both by a scoreline of 3-0. Wan-Bissaka will not be back for that game, as he is expected to be out for four weeks.
Kaelan Casey played his first game for Stevenage in League One, as he came off the bench against Milton Keynes Dons. Casey was required after Luther James-Wildin got injured. However, Stevenage went on to lose 1-0. The Boro are now 12th in League One, and they face fallen giant Leicester City next in the division. Casey has an uncertain future as his loan at Stevenage expires next summer, when his deal with West Ham also comes to an end.
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