Southampton striker Dominic Ballard has backed himself to be a part of the first team this season.
Ballard has said that there has been discussions this summer about a potential loan move, and that there has been interest.
However, he and manager Russell Martin have decided it’s best for him to stay put for now and fight for his place in the team.
Speaking to the Daily Echo, Ballard said: “We’ve had discussions about it and I had interest from clubs for loans but we agreed and I want to be here and push for the first team,” Ballard said.
“Of course, if the pathway does take me to January and I’ve got to go out on loan and play men’s football then that’s what I’ll do.
“Right now, I back myself to get into the first team and score goals there first.”
Will Dominic Ballard break into the first team picture?
Ballard has been at Southampton all his career, and has been in brilliant goalscoring form for the B team. He scored 13 goals in 16 games last season as Saints won the Division Two title. He was also nominated for the Premier League 2 player of the year.
Martin has praised Ballard’s finishing, saying: “Dom has lots to work on but he’s a really natural finisher which is probably the toughest instinct to have as a footballer.”
The change in playing style has meant the 18-year-old and the rest of the team have had to adapt their playing style, which Ballard had admitted has not been easy, but he hasn’t let it get to him.
“There’s a lot of positives to take,” Ballard said. “The new way of playing and how Russell Martin wants us to play is exciting.
“However, there’s a lot to go into it in order to really understand it. Luckily, he’s really good with player-to-player conversations. I see the pathway, I really do, and I’m looking forward to that – now I just have to force his hand and get on the team sheet.”
With Che Adams linked to be leaving, this may his time to step up.