Birmingham City could still be relegated to the third tier of English football after a loss against Queens Park Rangers left Garry Monk's side floating precariously above the Championship's relegation zone.
The Blues host Fulham this weekend, knowing that their opponents will be chasing automatic promotion and nothing but a win will do for the visitors.
With a gap of just two points separating them from the drop zone, it could be a case of hoping that the other teams around them drop points as well if Fulham perform as they have been doing in the last few months.
But once safety is ensured, Monk will start to consider which players he wants to keep, which ones he wants to axe and some of them will benefit from loan spells away from St Andrew's too.
There are a few players in the squad who just aren't quite ready for first-team football at Birmingham and they need to be sent out on loan to develop their game and catch Monk's eye.
Here are three players Birmingham should be looking to loan out this summer.
Lubala recently made his Birmingham debut and there are high hopes for this young star.
The 20-year-old plays as an attacking midfielder but he can also feature up front and he got a 20 minute cameo against Bristol City.
The DR Congo youngster would benefit from a year away from the club on loan.
When O'Keeffe made his debut against Newcastle United in December 2016, big things were expected of the youngster.
But since then, the Republic of Ireland under-19 international has not made another senior appearance.
Comfortable either as a central midfielder or as a full-back, the 19-year-old's game would develop so much if he was given a year out on loan.
Dacres-Cogley is another youngster whose progress has stalled this season.
The 22-year-old established himself as a first-team member last term, playing 17 games for the Blues but he has not featured once this season.
The promising full-back could benefit from at least half a season out on loan so he can prove himself and get back into the manager's plans.