FORMER Saints manager Ruben Selles insisted “we know exactly what we want” as he assessed the loan signing of Saints striker Dom Ballard.

As first reported by the Daily Echo, academy forward Ballard landed his first senior loan with a season-long switch to League One outfit Reading on deadline day.

Ballard, 18, played no part in his new team’s 1-0 defeat at Cambridge United as he was called up to England under-19 duty following six goals in his first three Premier League 2 matches of the season.

Selles gave Ballard a Premier League debut in a defeat to Brighton back in May, as the club were already relegated, and will hope the striker can build on his senior goal tally.

Now in charge of the Royals, Selles told Reading Chronicle: “Dom Ballard is a player we know from Southampton. 

Daily Echo: Dom Ballard has impressed so far in Premier League 2

“Unfortunately, he didn’t get released from the FA to play for us (on Monday) because he is with England under-19s. 

"He is a goal scorer that I know very well who has scored goals in every category. I gave him his debut in the Premier League against Brighton and also against Liverpool, so we know exactly what we want and how to complement.”

Selles, whose Saints contract was not renewed following the end of last season, added: “We know the situation we are in and what our market is so we are satisfied with the movement we were able to do."