THIERRY Small is taking steps to get closer to Saints’ first team following his summer arrival and B team coach David Horseman says: “His attitude and commitment is excellent.”

The 17-year-old signed from Everton with the club intending on him being the main back-up to Romain Perraud at left-back, but a few knee strength issues and a lack of recent football has made it a slow start for the youngster.

He got his first minutes in a Saints shirt when he played 60’ for the B team vs Burnley last month, before playing almost a full 90’ in the draw against Stoke City before being subbed just ten from time last week.

Small is now set to play against senior opposition for the first time at Saints, when Horseman’s side travel to League One Charlton Athletic tonight in the EFL Trophy.

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Speaking after the Stoke fixture, Horseman revealed his thoughts on the acquisition: "He was a really good outlet for us and he linked up really well with Kaz (Olaigbe) down the left.

"What you have to understand is, he has missed months of football. We all had our pre-season, even if ours was broken this season (due to COVID-19) and have played games, but he hasn't.

"He managed 75 minutes until he started cramping up in his hamstring so we do have to be patient with him.

"He is still only a second-year scholar but his attitude and commitment towards doing what we want to do is excellent."

Small was one of three teenagers to join the club this summer, with the other two in Dynel Simeu and Tino Livramento arriving from Chelsea’s Cobham-based academy.

The impact we’ve seen from Livramento has been far beyond what most might have imagined but Ralph Hasenhuttl has promised him first team football, while the 19-year-old centre-back was signed with a B team stint in mind.

So both of those spells are materialising as expected, but Small will no doubt be disappointed and eager after a disrupted start.

Daily Echo: Thierry Small's last and only senior appearance was during an FA Cup tie for Everton in January (Pic: PA)Thierry Small's last and only senior appearance was during an FA Cup tie for Everton in January (Pic: PA)

His progress continues tonight and the club will have an international break to continue to assess him.

"We will get more minutes into him," added Horseman. "We will work now towards building him up to 90 minutes and then we will start to see him really flying up and down the left-hand side."

Saints B kick off at Charlton Athletic at 7PM.