4. Matthew Saunders – 19 apps, 3 goals
Matthew Saunders might not be the first name that comes to mind when recalling standout loanees, but for those who watched him during his 2010 spell from Fulham, there’s no question he had something special. A cultured midfielder with a wand of a left foot, Saunders brought composure and finesse to a team crying out for control.
His three goals were all quality strikes, but it was his delivery from set-pieces and eye for a pass that made the real difference. He gave us rhythm in midfield and looked far too technically gifted for the level. In a turbulent period on and off the pitch, Saunders was a rare bright spot.
There was a sense he could have gone on to much bigger things, but injuries and inconsistency limited his progress after leaving Fulham. Still, for a few short months at Sincil Bank, he made us tick, and few loanees of the era left such a tidy, lasting impression.
3. Jamie Forrester – 101 apps, 37 goals
Jamie Forrester arrived at City in 2006 from Bristol Rovers, initially on loan, and made such an impact that we snapped him up permanently almost immediately. Technically brilliant, instinctive in front of the goal, and cool as you like from the penalty spot, he was a striker with class written all over him.
In truth, this list only just qualifies Forrester as a loanee, but that initial spell gave us a glimpse of what would follow—goals, guile, and genuine quality. He quickly became the focal point of our attack, forming partnerships with the likes of Mark Stallard and Jeff Hughes that gave City fans hope of another promotion push.
Forrester had that rare knack of scoring goals in tight games, and while we never quite got over the line during his spell, he gave everything in red and white. A proper fan favourite who blended natural finishing ability with intelligence, movement, and just a touch of swagger.
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