Blues haven’t seen the best of Arsenal prospect

Gary Rowett insists that there is more to come from Arsenal loanee Jon Toral, reports the Birmingham Mail. 

The youngster came off the bench at Preston on Tuesday night and inspired a thrilling second half comeback by The Blues to salvage a 1-1 draw.

Toral had such a huge impact on Birmingham’s second half performance that they very easily could’ve left Lancashire with all three points, had they taken their chances.

Rowett was very happy with Toral’s contribution and said that the young Arsenal loanee, who spent time at Brentford last season, has developed since he joined the club.

Rowett told the Birmingham Mail “he has come back from his spell out of the team a better player.”

“You have to remember this is a player that didn’t start that many games last season.”

“We looked at how many goals he scored without starting that many games and we felt with a full season under his belt, a little bit more maturity and experience of the Championship, he was the type of player that perhaps we could pinch within our structure and have a real affect.”

“And I think he has. You could argue with Jon, and I know it’s a very flippant and easy thing to say, that he should be in double figures at the moment with his goals because he has had lots and lots of opportunities.”

“What he does do, when he comes on the pitch, he gives you that little bit of impact and quality and when he starts, since he has come out and then back into the team, I think he has had that little bit of extra zip about his play.”

“It’s hard to see Jon as a 20-year-old, you look at him and almost think he’s a little bit older than that and a little bit more mature the way he plays and the calmness and composure he shows.”

“He is only 20 and you have got to remember he is not dissimilar in age to Demarai or Viv Solomon-Otabor, of whom we are all a little bit more patient with in terms of that end product.”

“He has certainly been an excellent player for us so far this season and I expect him to kick on even more from now on in.”

Toral started the season in superb form and bagged two goals in his first two games, before losing his place in the side due to his defensive culpabilities.

However, he has now worked on that side of his game and the 20 year old, who will remain at St Andrews all season, has won his place back ahead of Andrew Shinnie, in the Number 10 role.

Birmingham have had a good start to the season and will hope to be in the promotion mix come May. They currently lie eighth in the Championship, four points off Ipswich Town who occupy the final play off spot.

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