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Dom Ballard And Forgotten Man Boost Saints First Team Claim

Southampton powered to victory over Fulham to reach the Premier League 2 play off semi finals, but perhaps the biggest story of the day is two of the names on the team sheet who could play a big part next season.

On Saturday Dom Ballard came off the bench at half time in Cambridge United's defeat at home to Birmingham City, he didn't score in that game, but two days later he was notching a hat trick as Saints U21 side beat their Fulham counterparts 5-2 at St Mary's.

That made it 7 goals in just 3 appearances in the Saints second string this season and it has lead to some Southampton fans to make a case for his elevation to the First team in the final games of the season.

Whilst he probably could not do any worse than the other centre forwards who are currently at the club, would it be wise to throw him into the fray ?

In his loan spells this season in League One, firstly at Blackpool and then at Cambridge, he has managed just 3 goals in total plus 1 assist, hardly stats that suggest he is ready for the Premier League or either the Championship for that matter.

The lower League is littered with those that have been prolific scorers at U21 level, but have not been able to transfer that to scoring in the top two divisions in English football.

So the dilemma for Simon Rusk is whether he throws in Ballard as a wild card or leaves him with the U21's for the upcoming semi final.

The young striker only turned 20 last month so is still developing and it is a fine balance between throwing him into the deep end or nurturing him.

My feeling is that we have nothing to lose, however if in the final games we have the 3 players currently out on loan in the Championship coming back, then I would throw in Adam Armstrong before Ballard, Ronnie Edwards for Jack Stephens and Shea Charles in the centre of the midfield.

Those three could form the core of our team in the Championship next season.

Another who could be an asset next season is Juan Larios, the forgotten man of St Mary's, dogged by injury issues, he returned for a short cameo at Cardiff City in the EFL cup before being back in the treatment room.

However since returning to the U21 side back in February he has played all 5 regular season PL2 games and built up his core stamina and fitness, he too played the full 90 minutes against Fulham on Monday to continue his rehabilitation.

I would not expect Larios to be risked in a Premier League game this season, but he could be a big asset next season, with 2 years still left on his contract and still only 21, if he has overcome his fitness issues, he could well come in from the cold and star for Saints next season.

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