Saints have trimmed the squad a little this week with two of the youngsters on the fringe of the squad being sent out on loan to further their development.

Saints have sent out two of their youngsters out on loan this week with Kegs Chauke heading to Exeter City and Thierry Small going to Port Vale.

Chauke has only made one appearance in the first team so far appearing in the FA Cup tie against Shrewsbury Town in January 2021 a few days after his 18th birthday, still only 19 he is rated by the club and prior to his departure to Devon had signed a new deal at the club keeping him to the summer of 2024.

At the moment though his path to the first team is blocked a little after the signings of Romeo Lavia and Joe Aribo adding to the ranks of the central midfield roster, therefore it is a good move for him at this stage of his career to have a season out on loan to get some experience and hopefully return as a player ready to challenge for a place in the first team squad.

Exeter City in League one offer him the opportunity to thrive at that level and also to have two sessions of 90 minute abuse with Poerstmouth Super Fan John PFC Westwood conducting the Blue Few in renditions of that truly original song Scummer Scummer, a ditty much loved in those parts.

Thierry Small has gone to newly promoted Port Vale who join Exeter in League One for the coming season and therefore Small will have the opportunity for similar abuse when he plays against a Pompey side who celebrated their 10th consecutive season in the bottom two divisions this summer.

His situation is a little different to Chauke's, he arrived last summer from Everton with a big reputation for a 17 year old and he will join Port Vale a few days short of his 18th birthday.

The club had high hopes of a first team breakthrough last season for Small, but circumstances did not help that, firstly the club signed Romain Perraud in the left back spot and then with the signing of Tino Livramento and the moving of Kyle Walker Peters to the left, his progress was further blocked.

Although he featured in pre season games, it was decided that he would be unlikely to oust either Perraud or KWP at present and that he too like Chauke would be best served with a loan spell at a League club.

Like Chauke he too had one first team start to his name in a competitive fixture, also in the FA Cup in January of this year when he played against Coventry City, before leaving Everton he had also played one game in the FA Cup as a 85th minute sub in a home win over Sheffield Wednesday.

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Block8 added 09:23 - Jul 27 These are good moves for the youngsters. Playing against men on a regular basis and the pace of the games is a big step up from the youth and B team level, as is playing in front of a crowd. Hopefully all of our loanees will find the experience a benefit to their careers, whether they remain with us or move on for a fee and we may just unearth a diamond! COYR
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