Grant Ward suffered defeat on the road with MLS side Chicago Fire on Sunday night.

The midfielder, one of only a handful of our on-loan players in action over the weekend due to the international break, started for the Fire as they took the lead against New England Revolution – only to succumb to a 2-1 defeat. Grant was substituted after 75 minutes.

Elsewhere, Shaq Coulthirst has been enjoying plenty of game time for Southend United this week.

Having played 90 minutes in the Shrimpers’ midweek Football League Trophy clash with AFC Wimbledon, which they lost on penalties after a 2-2 draw, Shaq kept his place in the starting XI for Saturday’s 1-1 home draw with Oxford United in League Two. He was replaced in the 69th minute, shortly after Oxford had cancelled out the Blues’ first half lead from the penalty spot.

On the continent, Tomislav Gomelt was on the bench for Italian side Bari in their 2-0 home Serie B defeat to Perugia while Lewis Holtby made his debut for German outfit Hamburg in their 3-0 friendly win at VfR Neumunster.