Alan Pardew hailed the impact of Papa Waigo as Saints climbed into the top half of the League One table with a 2-0 win over Stockport at St Mary’s.

Waigo has been on the fringes of the first team over recent weeks.

His last League Two start was in the 1-0 loss at Leeds on December 19, since when he has appeared as a sub five times.

But he staked his claim for a more regular place with a match-changing contribution after being brought on in the second half against County.

He got a goal – his seventh for Saints but only his third in the third – and has put himself at the forefront of Pardew’s thoughts ahead of a big few weeks in Saints’ season.

Pardew, pictured right, said: “Papa has got that talent.

“We’ve got some big games coming up where Papa might feature.

“He has that talent that on his day he can take us up a level.”

He added: “When you play against professional teams you have to give them respect as professional teams.

“We thought we were going to be comfortable just passing through them and it wouldn’t be a problem.

“We managed to get that message to them at half time and to be fair to the players I thought their response was excellent.

“Papa Waigo came on and helped us link it up a bit better and we were comfortable at the end.

“We really needed a goal to settle us and to get a goal in that period was important because it was our best period of the game.

“I’m pleased for Rickie because he looked like he needed a goal to give him a lift.

“He was tireless and second half did as much as anyone to settle us.”

Saints were not quite themselves in the first half but pulled things together after the break.

“I was trying to encourage us to pass the ball but we decided to stand still and do it,” said the Saints boss.

“Second half we adjusted things and put some energy into the team with the same players.

“We were very nervous and things didn’t go well at the start and it affected one or two. But second half we were much more like us, got the goals and controlled the game which was nice to see.”

Waigo has now scored three League One goals in eight starts plus 13 as a sub.

He has netted in successive home league games, having previously come off the bench to seal the 3-1 Boxing Day win against Exeter.