HARRISON Reed insists he is a better player for his time in the stands - because that gives him the best view of the action.

The Saints midfielder is expected to be involved in today’s FA Cup tie against Crystal Palace at St Mary’s after making his first Premier League appearance of the season last week.

Reed, who has been restricted to seven starts and 14 more appearances as a substitute since making his debut two-and-a-half years ago, had been out of the squad since August.

But he replaced Jordy Clasie with ten minutes left at Carrow Road, shortly after ten-man Saints had conceded the only goal at Norwich.

With Victor Wanyama suspended following his sending off, an opportunity beckons for the 20 year-old. The summer signings of Clasie and Oriol Romeu shunted Reed down the pecking order, despite Morgan Schneiderlin’s exit.

But Reed has made the most of his time on the sidelines.

“Jordy and Oriol are great midfielders who I look to learn from,” he said. “When you train with them you watch what they do and improve your game by doing some of the stuff they do.

“It’s helped taking a back seat and watching games from the stands because you see more clearly how the game’s going, what people should be doing and what they are doing well.

“After pre-season the manager talked to me about positioning so I always watch what Jordy and Victor do, or whoever’s playing in midfield, and how they’re balancing off each other.”

Ronald Koeman admitted that Reed is close to the first team after seeing him impress in a 1-0 Premier League U21 Cup win against Chelsea on Wednesday.

Reed is clearly itching for the regular game time he needs to be on top of his game. He believes his form has suffered due to a lack of it.

“I don’t think it’s been great, there have been a few games I’ve done well in but the consistency hasn’t really been there,” he said.

“That comes with the games not coming thick and fast. With the Under 21s there’s not been game after game. Without that momentum it’s been hard to keep my form up but I’m with the first team training every day so I’m always improving and looking to learn and was pleased with my performance on Wednesday night. I’ll look to build on that.”

Since breaking into Saints’ midfield, he has been compared to the likes of Paul Scholes and Alan Ball.

“I think that’s more because of the hair colour!” he laughs.

“I do like way Scholes played, especially getting into the box early in his career and I look to emulate the way he passed the ball.”

Reed made two Europa League appearances in August, and knows a longer run in the FA Cup would give him more opportunities.

“It’s a competition we could win,” said Reed, who is hoping for a reunion with Eastleigh’s ex-Saint Dan Harding in the fourth round.

Harding will be trying to help the Spitfires overcome Bolton at the Silverlake Stadium today.

“The FA Cup’s always something to look forward to, especially when you see a lower-league team doing so well,” said Reed.

“It spices it up a bit and Eastleigh are doing really well. Dan Harding says it’s a really good club and what a dream it would be to play them in the next round.

“It would be a great occasion for the city.”