Young Saints striker Princewill Ehibhatiomhan has been amongst the goals this season (Image: Craig Hobbs/Southampton FC)
Young Saints striker Princewill Ehibhatiomhan has been amongst the goals this season (Image: Craig Hobbs/Southampton FC)
YOUNG Saints striker Princewill Ehibhatiomhan is enjoying being amongst the goals for the Under-21s, but insists he's ready for a first-team opportunity whenever it arrives.
Ehibhatiomhan will celebrate his 21st birthday this evening by facing Juventus Under-21s in front of thousands of fans at St Mary's.
The striker already has 11 goals to his name in eight appearances this season and was named on the bench for Saints' 1-1 draw at Birmingham City in the Championship last month.
"It's just about being ready for the opportunity when it does come," Ehibhatiomhan told the Daily Echo, fresh from a brace against QPR.
"I think it's positive. I'm always in the middle of the goals. That's what I try to do every time I step on the pitch.
"I just look to support and help the team in every way I can.
"I just want to be able to score goals and play in the first-team. The more I score in these games and the more they watch, the more I'll be knocking on the door.
"It's hard to ignore when you keep scoring. That's what I want to do - keep scoring, get opportunities in the first-team and show what I can do in the men's game."
More:Ehibhatiomhan's incredible form continues as Saints under-21s edge 11-goal thriller
The Ehibhatiomhan name is well-known in the EFL. Older brother Kelvin impressed in League One for Reading before making the move to Danish Superliga side AC Horsens this summer for a reported €750,000.
Princewill got his first taste of consistent men's football last season, going to Swindon Town and Salford City on loan.
It perhaps came as a surprise to see the 21 year old stay with the Under-21s and not go out on loan this summer, with the youngster citing a good relationship with first-team head coach Tonda Eckert.
Tonight's Premier League International Cup fixture is an opportunity for Adam Lallana's team to play in front of a significant crowd, and for Ehibhatiomhan to display his goal scoring talents.
"I think me and Tonda have a good relationship," the striker exclaimed. "I worked with him in the Under-21s at the start of last season before I went out on loan.
"We just came to a decision that it was probably best for me to stay here and be in and around it and try and get into that team and put a thought into his head in these games. That's what I try and do every game.
"It was difficult taking that step. It was good for my development. I think I learned a lot and matured a lot in the game as well. Overall, it definitely helped me."
The loan at Swindon saw Ehibhatiomhan work under one of the English game's most charismatic managers, Ian Holloway.
"He's a character," the young striker added, smiling. "He's got a lot of experience in the game and he was a good person to work with. I really enjoyed it."
Tickets are still on sale online on the official Saints ticket website with entry for under-18s free and adults £7. There is also no booking fee.