Ings has platform to take off
MARK HUGHES is backing Southampton new-boy Danny Ings to prove his injury woes are over.
Ings, 26, joined on a deadline-day loan move from Liverpool to his boyhood club. Saints must pay £16million to make it permanent at the end of the season whatever happens.
Ings is set to make his debut against old club Burnley today – 16 years after being rejected by the south coast side as a schoolboy too small.
Manager Hughes said: “There’s risk with every player you bring to a club but he’s over the injury, that’s the important thing, and he has been back a while now.”
Ings made just six Premier League starts in for being three years at Anfield after two knee injuries.
Hughes said: “He’s at a point where he wants to start making an impression again.
“There’s a platform here. The club wants to do well and has good players that will help him get to the level he has been before.”
Burnley boss Sean Dyche signed defender Ben Gibson and forward Matej Vydra but is glad the window is shut after missing out on others on deadline day. He said: “It’s been the worst I’ve experienced.
“Even some of the big clubs haven’t got the player they wanted. And even more for us – we’re spending pretty decent money now, if you’re looking at £10million and £15m and yet you can’t scratch the surface. It’s very frustrating and I’m very pleased it’s closed.”
Striker Chris Wood could return after an infected insect bite.