Whilst loans are usually seen as the club offloading, it can be player inspired if they think they are going to get lost. It's fine for him to get paid for nowt this year. But he may not have another career lined up yet, so needs to stay in the shop window to pay the mortgage next year.
I'm not sure where we need cover really. I would argue a 6. But give Lance his due he had a good one last week, so lets hope he builds some form.
I'd be thinking maybe a replacement 9 to give us that something different and allow Roby a rest, before we burn him out again.