Kenwyne Jones has already had the perfect Christmas present this year as he kicked off his loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday with a goal in their 4-0 victory over Doncaster yesterday.
The 20-year-old Trinidad and Tobago international made an instant impact with the Owls fans as he scored one and made another in their derby victory. And having also linked up with former Saints boss Paul Sturrock, the man who brought him to England, Jones said he is looking forward to the next few weeks with the Yorkshire club.
He beamed: “As debuts go I don’t think it could have gone any better really. It was great to score, and especially in a derby game as well.
“All the players are pretty pumped up right now and from everyone’s point of view I think it was a pretty good Christmas present. I just hope that the rest of my time up here can go as well as the start did.
“From what I have seen so far they are a pretty decent team and I think they have got a good chance of getting into the play-off positions this year so hopefully I can help them with that.”
Sturrock has already said that he would be eager to take Jones on permanently once his loan expires in January but Jones insisted that at the moment he is just concentrating on his football.
He continued: “I haven’t really thought about any of that stuff to be honest. He is an easy manager to work for but it was my only first appearance in the football league and all I want to do is get some more experience behind me right now.
“At first I was a bit worried about how I would fit in but it has all gone well so far so all I am thinking about is getting some more games under my belt, hopefully scoring a few more goals and just working hard for the next month.”
Leon Best also made his league debut for Queens Park Rangers at the weekend. The 18-year-old scholar who made his Premiership debut against Newcastle this season replaced Gino Padula in the second half on Saturday as Ian Holloway reshuffled his pack following Jamie Cureton’s dismissal.
Best was unable to change the result as they went down 1-0 at Reading’s Majedski stadium but Cureton’s suspension may give him a chance of more action in the next few matches.
Arron Davies has started life at Yeovil well as he bagged the winner in their 3-2 victory over Leyton Orient on Saturday. The 20-year-old completed a free transfer from the south coast last week and impressed on his debut with a late strike.
Saints have also confirmed the free transfer of 18-year-old Academy midfielder Stuart Anderson to Blackpool. Having signed an 18 month contract with the Seasiders with an option for a further year he sat on the bench in their 3-2 defeat at Walsall on Saturday.
Eddie Anaclet’s proposed loan move to Chester has fallen through however. Saints are still eager to give the 19-year-old right back the opportunity to gain league experience, particularly over the Christmas period as both the reserves and the Academy enjoy a winter break so they may now consider alternative options.