How are Everton loanees Niels Nkounkou, Joao Virginia, Moise Kean, Lewis Gibson and Nathan Broadhead faring?

Everton return to action after the international break when they make the trip to Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday (14.00 GMT).

Rafa Benitez’s side would have preferred an easier fixture to restart the season,having failed to win their past five.

And away from Goodison Park, several of the Toffees’ loan stars’ campaigns will also resume.

Since our last look at how the quintet are faring, we take a look if circumstances have changed for any.

Niels Nkounkou - Standard Liege

There are plenty of fans who'd still rather the left-back be at Goodison.

When he departed for Belgium on summer transfer deadline day, there were fears Everton were short with Lucas Digne the only other senior option.

Although that has been the case at times when Digne’s been injured, the Toffees ultimately sent Nkounkou out for regular minutes - and that's what he's been getting.

The 21-year-old is one of the first names on the team sheet for Liege. He's made eight appearances in total and featured for the entire 90 minutes in all four games since the last international break.

Everton will be hoping he continues to garner as many senior minutes as possible before returning to Merseyside in the summer.

Liege are 14th in the Jupiler Pro League.

Moise Kean - Juventus

Remember him? The striker is technically on loan at Juventus, although his move is set to become permanent in the summer of 2023.

Kean has enjoyed mixed fortunes since his return to Juve, though. The highlight was the match-winner in a 1-0 defeat of Roma last month.

However, that was just one of two goals in nine appearances and missed the Old Lady’s past five games due to injury.

Juve have had a dreadful start by their own standards and languish eighth in Serie A.

Joao Virginia - Sporting Lisbon

The goalkeeper’s struggles continue in his homeland.

Virginia is still behind Antonio Adan in the pecking order at Sporting.

The 21-year-old has made only two outings this campaign, with both coming in cup competitions.

Sporting, who are second in Primeira Liga, have an option to buy Virginia at the end of the season.

At this stage, it’s difficult to see that happening.

Lewis Gibson - Sheffield Wednesday

You can't help but feel sorry for the centre-back.

Gibson, 21, is back at Everton receiving treatment for a hamstring issue, having played just twice for League One Wednesday so far.

Hillsborough boss Darren Moore has admitted he'll have conversations with the Toffees about potentially cancelling Gibson's loan in January.

That would be a hammer blow for the ex-Newcastle defender.

Nathan Broadhead - Sunderland

It's make or break for the 23-year-old at the Stadium of Light.

Before the October international break, Broadhead was beginning to establish himself as a key figure in Lee Johnson's side's League One promotion bid.

A hamstring injury ruled him out for seven games, however, with Sunderland's form jettisoning simultaneously.

Broadhead, 23, is over that setback, though and has made three appearances this month, scoring in a 1-1 draw against Bradford in the Papa John's Trophy.

Johnson now hopes Broadhead's “completely different dynamic” can catapult Sunderland back up the table after slumping to seventh.