Southampton head coach Eckert insists new signing is more than back-up | Daily Echo

SAINTS head coach Tonda Eckert backed £9million signing Lewis Dobbin to "contribute to lots of goals" as he talked up his role in the squad.

Dobbin, 23, penned a four-year contract in a permanent move from Aston Villa earlier this month, becoming the club's fourth summer signing.

The versatile forward spent last season on loan at Championship Preston, and he excelled with 10 goals and eight assists for the midtable outfit.

Dobbin played most of his minutes as a number 10 or second striker, operating centrally behind the striker with his pace a threat in transition.

But Eckert insists he does not arrive solely as competition to Finn Azaz, who was a mainstay in the team as Saints reached the play-off final in May.

"If you look at Finn and what he's done for us in the last season, he doesn't need any direct competition," Eckert told the Daily Echo.

Lewis Dobbin made his first appearance at Eastleigh last week (Image: Stuart Martin)

READ: Pace, transition and threat: How Dobbin fills gap in Saints squad

"What Lewis gives us is just flexibility in the front line. I think that he likes to be close to the goal, but he can also come in off the side.

"He has had a big amount of goal contributions, and if we do want to get promoted, that's definitely something we need in the top line.

"He can give that through the middle, he can give that over the left and over the right, so I think it gives us some flexibility going into the final third.

"But Finn has been top, not just in terms of what he gives to the team on the ball, but the dedication and the way he puts himself on the line.

"When we had to defend also later on in the games, I think he was excellent. I wouldn't connect Lewis and Finn too much, as they can play together.

"They can also both play 90 minutes, but in a 46-game Championship, plus two cup competitions, the more quality we have, the better.

"We need that in those positions, and I'm very happy to have Lewis in the building, and I'm sure that he will be contributing to lots of goals."

Dobbin scored in his first friendly for Saints, a 3-1 win over National League Eastleigh last Saturday, and could feature again this evening.

Saints take on 2.Bundesliga Eintracht Braunschweig in the first game of their eight-night training camp in Germany, at 7pm UK time this evening.