Southampton U21 striker scores hat-trick after loan return | OneFootball

Southampton U21 team won 5-0 against Fulham U21 in the Premier League 2. Dom Ballard scored a hat-trick after returning from his Blackpool loan last week.

Recently, Southampton announced the return of academy players Dom Ballard and Cam Bragg from their six-month loan spells. The duo are among the best talents in Southampton's youth setup, but their first experience in senior level football didn't go according to plan.

Thus, a recall at such a young age made sense.

Now, Dom Ballard has shown why it could be a blessing in disguise for him to spend more time at the club itself. In Southampton U21's latest Premier League 2 match, Ballard scored a brilliant hat-trick against Fulham.

Understandably, Ballard was extremely happy after his hat-trick in Friday's 5-0 win.

Southampton U21 striker scores hat-trick after loan return

Speaking to Daily Echo reporter Alfie House, Ballard said: "It's a very different feeling from being out on loan but most importantly it's really enjoyable seeing all the boys again."

The Saints are famously known for developing young players and Ballard could be the next big thing from Staplewood. But to actually make it big in his career, the 19-year-old knows he will have to perform well at the top level.

Continuing, Ballard said: "There's a time that comes where I've got to change and adapt to playing men's football regularly and I'm looking forward to that."

Sadly for Ballard, these opportunities might be hard to get under Ivan Juric. The Southampton boss has a huge task of ensuring Premier League safety, meaning he will prefer not to experiment young players currently.

Ballard's U21 teammate Sam Amo-Ameyaw has also been advised by Juric to leave on a January loan. Thus, Ballard might need to prepare accordingly, keeping the option of a summer loan move in mind.