SWINDON Town manager Richie Wellens hopes Norwich City loanee Diallang Jaiyesimi can be ‘like a new signing’ after starring on only his fifth start this season away at Plymouth Argyle on New Year’s Day.

Jaiyesimi was deployed in a central attacking role and caused havoc among the Plymouth defensive line and midfield with his power, skill and movement.

Yet his goal – a powerful long-range strike following a graceful turn – was just his second of the campaign due to a long-term injury Jaiyesimi suffered early in his loan spell in Wiltshire.

A lack of match fitness, courtesy of an enforced two-month lay-off, and the inspiring performances of Shrewsbury loanee Anthony Grant has restricted ‘DJ’ to mostly substitute appearances under Wellens.

However, the Town boss admitted he is a big fan of the 20-year-old and would love to see Jaiyesimi kick on under his tutelage in the second half of the season.

Wellens said: “DJ is an immensely talented boy, strong, quick, and you can see his finishing ability with his goal.

“And when he gets in those one-on-one areas, he’s very good.

“Sometimes, it’s been hard for me to put him in, but I would go back to his injury.

“That was huge for him in terms of setting him back, and then when we did play him, he was getting to 60 minutes in and then cramping up because he missed pre-season.

“But hopefully now, he’s like a new signing and we can really develop him.”

More starts may well be in the offing for Jaiyesimi in the near future as an injury to Keshi Anderson has opened up an attacking spot in Town’s starting line-up.

The barrage of games means fresher players will be of great use to managers as the fixture list begins to settle down once again.

Jaiyesimi’s energy was clear for all to see in the Plymouth match as his power helped drag Town up the pitch on the counter-attack – something Wellens is keen to see more of in the coming weeks and months.

The Town manager said: “When we’ve been on that winning run, I wanted to get DJ in the team, but we’ve been doing really well with Grant sitting and two midfielders outside him, and not that number 10.

“Anthony is outstanding at that job, but I felt with us moving Grant into the back four, we needed two in there so Plymouth wouldn’t exploit us in the middle.

“I beat myself up because I should have made changes for Port Vale.

“I learned a lesson, so I made changes against Plymouth and I think we had a bit more of a fresh energy about us, especially counter attacking-wise.”