TO loan, or not to loan? That is the question. One of the biggest stories emanating from Ewood this week has centred around the short-term future of Matt Jansen.

And I, for one, would firmly support the idea of a temporary move elsewhere in order to get Matt the much-needed match action he craves.

With Hakan Sukur set to return to the first team squad later this month, it's clear that Jansen's opportunities could be limited between now and the end of the season.

So that would mean continuing his comeback in the reserves and, with the best will in the world, I don't think that's the environment he needs right now.

It's difficult at the best of times to get motivated for a game at Morecambe's Christie Park in the middle of winter but when you're a player like Jansen, who's used to performing on the big stage, then it must be an absolute nightmare.

If anything, I believe it will only serve to drag his standards down, and I don't intend to be disrespectful to Alan Murray or any members of his squad when I say that.

It's just that repeatedly playing in front of crowds of 200, on inferior pitches, and with inferior players, is hardly conducive to getting the best out of people.

I'm all in favour of using the reserves as a stepping stone back into the first team, as we saw with David Dunn last night.

But sticking someone in there for any prolonged period of time can sometimes end up doing more damage than good.

That's why I believe Matt would benefit from a run of competitive games in a first team environment elsewhere right now.

For me, a move into the First Division would be ideal -- as long as it's the right club.

It would need to be a team who plays decent football, who's preferably in mid-table, and close enough for Jansen to nip back to Brockhall now and again, just in case he wants to seek the advice of any of the medical staff at Rovers.

Burnley are one of the clubs who would love to take him but I don't think that's the kind of move Matt needs right now.

Over the last nine months, he's been through more trauma than most people experience in a lifetime and I don't think he needs the extra hassle a move to Turf Moor would create.

Just think about it for a second. If he was a success at Burnley, it would irritate Rovers fans.

And if he didn't produce the goods, then he'd have Clarets fans on his back.

As far as I can see, it would be a no-win situation -- certainly not for the player, anyway.

And that's the whole point of a such move.