SAINTS striker Dom Ballard is nothing but "grateful" for his experiences on loan at Blackpool despite it being a tricky spell for the youngster.

Ballard, 19, was recalled from his season-long spell at the Tangerines earlier this month having made 18 appearances in League One, scoring once.

Blackpool underwent a management change just a week after the deal's completion but incoming boss Steve Bruce held a positive opinion of Ballard.

It was the Premier League 2 Player of the Year nominee's second loan spell in the third division and proved to be important individual development.

"I've always had it really easy, to be honest. I am an hour away from home here and Reading, where I went, is my home," Ballard insisted.

"I always had an out when I was at Southampton or Reading as I'd just go home and see my family - that was my way of forgetting about football for a day.

"Then to go to Blackpool was like a completely different experience, that's why I chose it, even though it might not have been my best year.

Dom Ballard made 18 League One appearances for BlackpoolDom Ballard made 18 League One appearances for Blackpool (Image: George Tewkesbury)

"I've learned way more in that four or five months there than I ever will do at another club and I'm grateful for that - but also it was tough.

"At Blackpool, I'm by myself completely - like, I don't have anyone - and you've got to deal with it yourself. Having to deal with the tough games on your own.

"When everything's good, it's good, but there are days where it's tough and you've got to deal with it. I learned a lot about myself and I'm grateful I did it."

Ballard scored three in 10 matches for League One Reading before an injury cut his first loan short, off the back of 19 goals in 19 Premier League 2 outings.

The England youth international made a promising start and found the net in his second appearance at Blackpool, under interim boss Richard Keogh.

He remained in the starting team for Bruce's first three fixtures - helping them to win all three - but only started six out of the subsequent 16 league matches.

And their scramble for points meant Ballard's role was less important than the team, seeing the number nine deployed as a wide midfielder and winger.

"Playing up front is my position but I don't care and just want to play football. If they want me to play left wing and do a job there, I'll do it," he insisted.

"But yeah, that's probably another reason why I found it difficult and another reason I was recalled - but again that's part of learning, isn't it?"

The most crucial thing for Ballard was to remain fit and available for selection, after having surgery for a Patella tendon injury in November 2023.

Ballard attacked his rehab with enthusiasm and was on the pitch last summer for pre-season, where he, obviously, scored in the first friendly back.

He suffered a scare in Blackpool's 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town in September, picking up a potential shoulder injury that Bruce described as "cruel".

But he was out on the grass for England under-20s just two weeks later to, obviously, set up the 92nd-minute winner in a 2-1 victory over Italy.

"If you'd told me when I first came back that I'd stay fit through playing men's football for the time I would have taken that," said Ballard.

"Regardless of my performances, staying fit was the most important thing for me. Now I feel like I can get back to my best and I think we're seeing that.

"I think there has been no adjusting how I play because Tom Sturdy has done a really good job with me and I'll be forever grateful to him for that."

Ballard marked his Premier League 2 return for Saints in the only way he knows how on Friday - scoring a hat-trick in a 5-0 win over second-place Fulham. 

It is Ballard's third treble in his last four matches at the highest level of youth competition, and he scored one and assisted three in the fifth most recent.

Sam Amo-Ameyaw, with whom he shared his first steps into the senior team and the Premier League in May 2023, got on the scoresheet and set up his third.

"It's a very different feeling from being out on loan but most importantly it's really enjoyable seeing all the boys again," said Ballard.

"I think that you can see that on the pitch, like the way we play and like, we just enjoy it. Cam Bragg and I have played together since we were eight.

"I know the way he plays, I know him better than himself. Sam Amo, we've won leagues. No matter how long I haven't seen the boys, it's a bond."

Ballard's Saints stay is likely to be fairly brief and he is eyeing up another loan in the Football League before the winter transfer deadline in February.

"Yeah, I think so, I mean, I love playing under-21s, I really do, but like you just said, four games and I've scored three hat-tricks," Ballard beamed. 

"There's a time that comes where I've got to change and adapt to playing men's football regularly and I'm looking forward to that."

Dom Ballard made his Premier League debut at Brighton in May 2023Dom Ballard made his Premier League debut at Brighton in May 2023 (Image: Matt Watson - SFC)

Some supporters will call for the Surrey-born striker to be given a chance in the first team. He knows where the goal is and Saints are the lowest scorers.

But Ivan Juric is already contending with a squad too large and Ballard's latest contract, signed last summer, has him tied up to 2026 - so there is no rush.

With 38 senior matches currently under his belt, at 19 years old, now is a critical time for Ballard to bank regular experience. What club is the right fit?

"Maybe somewhere where they like to play two up front because I think that's what I play best in - and for me to play up front," mused Ballard.

"Then a team that's going to give me a lot of chances to settle because once I feel comfortable in the team, that's when I feel like I'm the best.

"Especially if wherever I go is far away! If I get that, I think I've got a chance. I just want to play."

It has been 873 days since Ballard scored in front of a packed red and white away end in a 3-0 Carabao Cup second-round win at Cambridge United.

Ballard, who was 17 years old at the time, was one of three academy lads to be handed their debut by former manager Ralph Hasenhuttl this evening.

"That feels like so long ago. It was the best night of my life, mental. Everything since has been learning and you always come back stronger," said Ballard.

An FA Youth Cup semi-final, Premier League debut, two Football League loans, a serious injury and a bucket-load of goals later, he still has plenty to prove.