Saints youth team defender Ryan Tafazolli has joined Salisbury City for a month to get some further experience of first team football.

The 18 year-old centre back is on Saints' books as a second year Academy scholar and has featured regularly for the Under-18's side both last season and in the current campaign.

He joined the youth set up in 2005, and has made impressive strides through the ranks at the club since then. He has most recently started all three of the reserves fixtures so far this season, including the 6-1 success over Salisbury last month.

Second string coach Stewart Henderson who coached Tafazolli at Under-18's level, recently praised the giant central defender for his contribution in reserve team football.

"Ryan Tafazolli proved that he is playing there on merit at the moment. He has a good attitude in both training and matches."

Academy manager Matt Crocker believes the spell with nearby City will give the youngster some extra grounding in his fledgling career.

"It's a good opportunity for Ryan and he will benefit from learning a tough standard of football," he said.

"The move is part of his on-going development which has recently extended to reserve team football, so now he has a great chance to be involved with a senior men's side on a regular basis.

"We have a good relationship with Salisbury of course with Tommy Widdrington and they have a good set up there. He could line up against Wrexham this weekend so that would be an extremely competitive game to be involved in."