Hi guys
I'm guessing I have a problem with my clutch. Here's why I'm thinking this. I recently returned to my home town of Burnley, from Liverpool last night. After leaving the motorway near home (approx 45mins of motorway driving) I engaged the clutch and knocked the car out of gear, as I applied the brake the rev counter climbed the dial quote alarmingly and had to put the car back into gear the get the revs to reduce.

I've also noticed that when driving and getting to a speed whereby a gear change is needed, which sounds like a rattling metal which is coming from around the engine bay area (unsure if it is related to the above problem or it is possible to be a loose heat shield)

Thank you in advance