SOUTHAMPTON boss Harry Redknapp today saluted Kenwyne Jones' remarkable scoring run at Sheffield Wednesday.
The striker 's haul of seven goals in six games has helped to answer any questions about his ability, believes Redknapp.
And it raises the question of whether Saints will agree to grant the Owls' wish of keeping Jones on an extended loan.
The 20-year-old's one-month deal ends after Saturday's match at Bournemouth.
Redknapp, who has loaned out several untried young players since becoming Southampton manager, said: "Kenwyne's done well at Sheffield Wednesday. I've had him watched a couple of times, and he's done ok and scored goals.
"When you loan out young players, it answers all the questions for you.
"If they go out on loan and can't do any good at those clubs, then you know that if they can't play at that level, they can't do you any favours at Premiership level."
Owls fans may wonder whether Jones's success means that Saints will want him back - but Redknapp has avoided saying that this is the case.
Southampton currently have a settled front two, Kevin Phillips and Peter Crouch, and are in the transfer market for another striker to replace James Beattie, who has been sold to Everton for £8 million. Redknapp, while he may be encouraged by Jones' development, may not currently see him as a Premiership first-team player, which would strengthen Wednesday's chances of borrowing him for longer than the initial month.
A loan player who has gone out of Hillsborough, Guy Branston, headed Peterborough into a two-goal lead against Wrexham last night but scored an equalising own-goal as the visitors fought back to draw 2-2, with an Andrew Holt shot being deflected in off the Owls centre half.
In League Two, ex-Wednesday striker Michael Reddy headed Grimsby into an early lead but they lost 2-1 at home to Northampton.