New Saints boss Scott Ruscoe hopes to extend youngster Ben Cabango’s loan and says changes will be made ahead of Barry Town United clash

New Saints manager Scott Ruscoe has praised the impact of on-loan defender Ben Cabango as he looked ahead to their first JD Welsh Premier League game of the season against Barry Town United.

He has been delighted with the instant impact that Cabango has had at the club since his loan move to the Welsh Premier League Champions – and now Ruscoe hopes that they can extend the 18-year-old’s loan spell at the club.

“Ben was just 17 when he signed for us and now he is 18, so it is just fantastic. He has got all the attributes to become a top centre-half, he is quick, he can defend and play between the lines like we want him to. He hasn’t missed one minute of training and hasn’t taken the foot off his gas, he is a great lad to have around.

“I spoke to Swansea and said we were after a centre-half and they come up with some names, and of course Ben was one of them. I hadn’t seen him play before so they sent me footage over, they said to have a look at it and would he fit into your side.

“He is only here for six months for the fact that Swansea were trying to protect themselves but now he is starting to play, we are hoping to extend his loan for more than six months. We are not blessed with a lot of defenders at the club so we need a bit more strength in depth but hopefully, we can keep him for the season.”

Ruscoe also alluded to the fact that he will make changes ahead of today’s game against Gavin Chesterfield’s side, which kicks off at Park Hall at 14:30 as they kick-off their JD Welsh Premier League campaign in what is a quick turn around after facing FC Midtjylland in the first leg of their third round UEFA Europa League clash at the Cardiff City Stadium.

“We will have to make changes ahead of Sunday’s game because it is constant,” admitted Ruscoe.

“We need to win that Welsh Premier League again, so we won’t be making wholesale changes but what we will be doing is tinkering and tapering the side where we need to.”

(Featured image: Will Cheshire)