NATHAN Jones feels Saints have helped get latest debutant Charly Alcaraz “up to speed” with a longer cameo than first expected at Everton on Saturday.

The 20-year-old midfielder only signed for Saints on Wednesday but was given 30 minutes of the eventual 2-1 win at Goodison Park.

Alcaraz replaced Romeo Lavia on the hour mark, with the young Belgian starlet still needing his minutes managed after a muscle injury this season.

The Argentine, who signed from Racing Club for over £10million, put a few passes astray with his first touches but recovered to make an important goalline block.

And Jones, who also afforded fellow signing Mislav Orsic a debut last week, feels Alcaraz can and will improve on his first showing.

“He’ll get better. I don't think he suddenly pulled up any trees with his performance today,” the boss admitted.  

“But he only arrived late on Tuesday night after being stuck on the M3 and then did his medicals all day Wednesday.”

Jones added: “He watched us play Manchester City and then did a little session on Thursday and then he’s into a Premier League game.

“It’s quite a story and I didn't envisage putting him on for so long but we felt we’ve got to get him up to speed which was a brave decision considering the magnitude of the game.

“We also feel that once he gets up to speed we will see a real quality player,” he concluded.

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