Steve Bruce Ready To Unleash Southampton Loan Star On Charlton | OneFootball

Blackpool boss Steve Bruce has revealed that Southampton loan star Don Ballard is fit and he is ready to unleash him against Charlton Athletic on Saturday.

19-year-old centre forward Ballard came through Southampton’s academy set-up and this summer joined League One side Blackpool on loan.

Ballard has featured in the last four league games for Blackpool, but last weekend against Exeter City he suffered an injury that forced him to leave the field in the 58th minute of the game.

He was on the bench when Blackpool took on Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday in the EFL Cup and Bruce admitted that he resisted his urge to put Ballard on in the second half of the game, which they lost 1-0.

Bruce also revealed that Ballard has not trained since Saturday but deems the player to be fit and added that he will be raring to go against Charlton at the weekend.

“He hasn’t trained since Saturday”, Bruce was quoted as saying by the Blackpool Gazette.

“There were times [against Sheffield Wednesday] where I thought about putting him on, but I’ve erred on the side of caution with him.

“But he’ll be raring to go on Saturday.”

Ballard has scored once in his four appearances in the league for Blackpool and Charlton boss Nathan Jones will now have to look at how to keep him quiet on Saturday at the Valley.

The Southampton star will be keen to impress this season for the Tangerines before returning to St. Mary’s at the end of the campaign.