England Under-21 star Darren Bent played a starring role as Ipswich thrashed Nottingham Forest 6-0 at the weekend to strengthen their Championship promotion bid.

Bent set up the third goal for Tommy Miller, then won a penalty which was converted by Miller and rounded off the scoring himself with his first goal in seven games.

Miller paid tribute to his team-mate, saying: "Darren was outstanding. He worked his socks off and I’m delighted he got the last goal." (The Sun)

Burnley manager Steve Cotterill is hoping to extend the loan spell of Young Lion Peter Whittingham (left).

The England Under-21 midfielder has spent a month a month at Turf Moor on loan from Aston Villa and Cotterill admits he would like to keep him for a longer spell.

"He’s done really well," said Cotterill. "I am pretty sure he’s going back to Villa, but I’d like him to be here for the rest of the season." (The Sun)

Burnley’s line-up against Rotherham on Saturday also included a couple of other on-loan Young Lions; Whittingham’s Villa team-mate Gary Cahill and Ipswich’s England Under-19 ace Darren Bowditch.

England Under-19 international Matt Fryatt (below) scored after just seven seconds in Walsall’s game at home to Bournemouth on Saturday.

But the quick-fire strike - which was the fastest ever seen at the Bescot Stadium - failed to inspire Paul Merson’s men.

Promotion-chasing Bournemouth hit back to win 2-1 following goals from Steve Fletcher and Gareth O'Connor.

Young Lion Simon Francis made his first start of the season for Sheffield United at the weekend.

But it proved to be a disappointing afternoon for Francis and his team-mates as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Stoke.

Francis, who played for the England Under-20s against Russia last month, has been plagued by injury and illness this season.