#PLStories- Ambitious Thierry Small ‘frustrated’ with lack of opportunity but will assess summer before pursuing loan #SAUNTSFC

AMBITIOUS Thierry Small is frustrated with a lack of first-team opportunity in his debut season at Saints but will assess his role this summer before considering a loan move, the Daily Echo understands. The talented 17-year-old wants to cement a first-team role at St Mary’s and will only consider a loan elsewhere as an option if it transpires he will not be involved, even after a pre-season under his belt. Former Everton starlet Small is not expected to be short of potential takers for a temporary spell elsewhere but would be looking to stake a claim at a Championship or top-level League One side. Small did not have a pre-season coming into this campaign with Saints, due to his situation at Goodison Park, and thus started behind on his match-fitness. Read more The youngster has had a positive first season at Saints when viewed through a normal lense, training with the first-team every week, starring at under-23 level and impressing coaches in training. Saints defender Thierry Small has been named on Premier League benches for Saints (Pic: Stuart Martin) But as exhibited by legendary manager Carlo Ancelotti giving a 16-year-old Small his senior Toffees debut last season, he has big potential to fill and is well ahead of his age. Those close to Small understand there is no substitute for regular and meaningful senior minutes, and the defender is focussed on impressing the Saints hierarchy. Small was given his first-team debut by Ralph Hasenhuttl in the FA Cup fourth round victory over Coventry City but the culture-shock of the occasion got the better of him, and he was substituted at half-time. "This tested him, definitely. He was very nervous, he is very young and this was a big crowd,” the Austrian said at the time. The club are aware of Small's ambitions and wants. Thierry Small in FA Cup action (Pic: Stuart Martin) “This was maybe not the perfect moment to start but I wanted to see how brave he is and what he could make (of it). He had a few good actions up front but in the defence he was a little bit shy. "This is not possible in the FA Cup, you have to be there immediately. He will learn this. There is still a lot to improve but he will improve." Small finished his Premier League 2 season for Dave Horseman’s B team with the winner in a 1-0 victory over Sunderland, in front of supporters at St Mary’s. The ACL injury sustained by Tino Livramento, which will keep the 19-year-old sidelined for the rest of 2022, likely ends Kyle Walker-Peters’ stint as a left-back in Hasenhuttl’s side. While Hasenhuttl told the Daily Echo they may pursue a new signing to replace Livramento in the summer transfer window, it currently leaves Saints with just two fit senior full-backs. Jake Vokins, 22, and Kayne Ramsay, 21, could also return from their loan spells at Ross County. Small wants to showcase himself to the country, and will look to find a solution which ensures he continues his progression and feeds his appetite. A message from the Editor Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo. Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website. You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more. Don't take my word for it - subscribe here to see for yourself. Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by joining our Facebook group - Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated Facebook group - Hampshire Court and Crime News