SAINTS striker Dom Ballard has landed a season-long loan move to League One outfit Blackpool, following his successful recovery from surgery.

The 19 year old heads out for a second spell in the third tier having recovered from a long-term knee injury sustained while at Reading last season.

Ballard had made a strong start with the Royals, bagging five goals in his first 12 appearances before having his spell in Berkshire cut short.

The Seasiders finished just three points outside the play-offs last term but were beaten 2-1 by Crawley in their first game of this season.

A club statement added: "The club wishes Dom all the best during his loan spell and looks forward to monitoring his progress."

Ballard trained with manager Russell Martin's first team regularly but spent pre-season playing with Simon Rusk's under-21s side. 

Ballard - who has netted 52 goals in 67 appearances for Saints under-18s and under-21s - was given a senior debut in August 2022.

He scored at Cambridge United in the Carabao Cup that night and made his first appearances from the bench in the Premier League in May 2023.

With a professional deal initially until 2024, Ballard signed a two-year contract extension to keep him at Saints until 2026 last summer.