SAINTS striker Jamie White has joined League Two side Shrewsbury Town on a month-long loan deal.

The 18-year-old broke into Jan Poortvliet's first team earlier this season, but after starting in the 1-0 win at Derby and the 1-0 loss at home to Blackpool has only made one substitute appearance.

White has been in sensational form for the reserves, twice scoring a hat-trick this season - most recently in the 4-1 victory at Plymouth.

With Shrewsbury currently in the League Two playoff positions, Poortvliet said he felt they represented the best option for White to gain some experience.

"There were a couple of teams interested in taking him and after speaking with their manager we decided that they were the best team, because they play attacking football and Jamie was happy with that also" he said.

"We think this is the best thing for him to do as he will get the chance to play and I think that that is what he is missing at the moment.

"He's been doing a very good job in our reserve team, but at the moment I think we have a lot of people who can play in the hole for us and he needs a little more experience in competitive games, so we shall see how he does after a month or so.

"Jamie is a good player who will score goals and it is good that he can get some games to bring that out. It is a good move for us and for him because he will bring that experience back to Southampton with him.

"He is still only 18 and we have a lot of young players looking to play, also we have Jason Euell in the team at the moment but if Jamie can do what he has been doing at that level then we will welcome him back with open arms because we think a lot of him for the near future.

"If he can make things happen at Shrewsbury then he will have the confidence to take into Championship games.

"He proved to us in the away game at Derby that he can play well for us but he dipped slightly before coming back strongly in the reserves.

"We have a lot of possibilities, but this is a good example of what we can do with some of our options so we hope that the move will be good for everyone."

White said he believes the move, which is due to end on December 13, will be of benefit to him.

"I'm looking forward to showing what I can do and picking up some match experience that I can bring back to Southampton," he said.

"Hopefully I will score few goals and improve my overall game.

"Shrewsbury are doing well at the moment, so I hope I can help them to continue their run and then come back and push for a first team place with Saints."