Billy Sharp says it is nice to feel wanted again, after making a loan move from Saints to former club Doncaster.

The 27-year-old made the switch earlier this week, having spent the first half of the campaign with Reading.

Sharp, who hasn’t featured for Saints since August 2012, said: “I spoke to the (Doncaster manager) Paul Dickov quite regularly and I’ve been impressed with what he’s said.

“He showed a lot of interest and it’s nice to feel wanted. I didn’t have any problems coming back here and it’s nice to feel wanted.

“I just feel in the last 12 months that I’ve not played a lot of football.

“I dreamed of being a footballer and, while the money is good, I just want to play football.

“Hopefully I can come and score a lot of goals again.”

Sharp, who joined Saints from Doncaster in January 2012, remains under contract at St Mary’s until the summer of 2015, but is unlikely to feature again for the club.

On the changes that have happened at Saints since his last appearance for them, Sharp said: “I don't even know who the manager is and he doesn't know who I am.”