Striker, 18, scored debut goal on loan at Aldershot last week

Kevin Watson says Dipo Akinyemi could have a ‘big future’ in the game.

The Stevenage striker joined Aldershot Town on loan last week and scored on his debut for the National League club in a 2-1 defeat to Lincoln City in a match Boro assistant manager Watson went to.

The 18-year-old started again on Saturday in Aldershot’s defeat at Kidderminster, and Watson believes that if the youngster continues to get games while out on loan he could be a real player for Boro in the future.

“I know Chris Barker very well, who is the assistant at Aldershot. Dipo needs games and so he took him,” Watson told the Comet.

“I went and watched him and he was man of the match against Lincoln and got a goal, and he could have had a couple more.

“He looked sharp and he looked bright, but he’s young. Bear in mind he was at Potters Bar last year.

“He’s certainly one for the future and it will do him the world of good to get out and play games. Go and play five or six games in a month and if he does well stay there and go and play another five or six. All the time keep learning”

Watson added: “He’s not going to be in our starting XI at the minute so it’ll benefit him to get out there.

“[He is] a young forward, a little bit erratic, but with what he’s got he could be a real threat. If he just gets hold of the bit and listens, gets hold of the ball and gets his chances.

“He’s pacy, he’s strong. He could be a real threat and could have a big future in the game, but for now let him go and learn and get goals.”