JONES’S NEW BOYS IN RACE TO FACE BEES

SOUTHAMPTON’S deadline day signings Paul Onuachu and Kamaldeen Sulemana could be blocked from making their debuts today.

Saints are sweating on work permits being granted in time for £18million front-man Onuachu and £25m record buy Sulemana (above) to feature against the Bees.

Frustrated manager Nathan Jones said: “Hopefully in the not-toodistant future we’ll see them.

“They’re in the building but we’re limited with what we can do with them because of the work permit situation.

“You’re better off ringing the Home Office to find out. We can keep on asking but until we get clarification on their work permits, neither will be involved.”

Meanwhile, Jones insists Southampton are still the perfect club for young players despite seeing one of their crown jewels prised away by Chelsea.

With the Blues splashing out a British record fee of more than £105m to land Enzo Fernandez from Benfica, their £6m acquisition of teenager Jimmy-jay Morgan from

Saints went under the radar. The exit of Morgan,

17, raised eyebrows among fans but Jones (below) said: “Football has changed since I came through and the world has changed. It’s wrong for me to comment on the motivation of young players.

“All I can say is Jimmy was a great lad, but he wasn’t ready for our firstteam so whatever decision is made around that is fine. “We have a fantastic academy, and we produce players – we have a lot of young players who need that development.

“Look at Romeo Lavia, Sam Edozie, Gavin Bazunu, all young players.

“We have enough here that we need to get up to speed on a weekly basis.

“All I can reiterate is there is a pathway here for people and if they want to buy into that then they will be given an opportunity.

“All we have to do is make sure we come through this sticky spell, make sure we are still a Premier League club and then we can be more elaborate in our plans.

“What you have to do is go to a place where you are going to develop.”