Alfie Jones admits Ladbrokes Premiership football was something of a culture shock after moving from Southampton to St Mirren on loan.

But the 21-year-old defender believes he is now getting to grips with the demands of first-team football.

The Southampton Under-23 captain conceded 10 goals in his first three matches in Scotland and the man who signed him, Alan Stubbs, subsequently lost his job.

The centre-back spent several weeks out of the team after Oran Kearney took charge but he has played the last four games, culminating in a point at Dundee, which kept the Buddies just off the bottom.

Ahead of Saturday's visit of Hearts, Jones said: "It was difficult at the start. This league is definitely more physical, a bit more direct as well, so dealing with that has been tough at the start.

"But I think now I'm getting used to that and developing as the games go on. The more games go on, the more I feel I am getting my confidence up.

"When you first start you need a run of games, and once you get those games it gives you the confidence to push on.

"But we're a young group of lads willing to work for each other."

Jones admits the arrival of former QPR defender Anton Ferdinand has been a major help.

"It's been massive, very important," he said. "Being a young centre-half coming through and knowing he is by my side every day, watching him day in, day out in training, it gives me the confidence being next to him.

"He's a massive help, he's always talking, always trying to help the young lads out. And obviously having the experience he does is a big help for me."