Magri: My QPR team-mate can be Pompey hit

What’s more, Sam Magri is adamant his QPR team-mate will prove a Fratton hit.

The Republic of Ireland under-19 international this week arrived at the Blues on an initial one-month loan.

For Guy Whittingham, it was a chase which began in November, only to fall through on emergency loan window deadline day when Jack Compton failed to be shipped out to Plymouth.

Now Sutherland has arrived to bolster the Blues midfield.

Pompey Academy graduate and former Fratton season ticket holder Magri has spent the campaign playing alongside the highly-regarded 18-year-old.

The duo have been colleagues in Rangers’ under-21s, reserves and also while training with the first team.

Magri knows exactly what Sutherland can bring to Whittingham’s side during these difficult times.

And he is confident both parties can flourish from the temporary alliance.

He said: ‘Frankie is a good player and a grafter.

‘The other day before the move was finalised he asked me a few questions about what it was like to play for Pompey and the situation at the club.

‘I told him it was a lot different to QPR but would be good for him to go out and get some games. Obviously I mentioned how good the fans are and they would support him 100 per cent.

‘Turns out they had already been talking to him on Twitter.

‘I think it will be a good signing. He said he wants to go there and work hard for the team, so he is definitely going to have the right attitude, which is important.

‘We play together nearly every game for the under-21s and reserves. We’ve also gone up into the first team together.

‘How he performs depends if you play three in midfield holding or whether he plays as a number 10 behind the striker.

‘But he sets up a lot of attacks, gets forward, has a really good technique and is comfortable on the ball.

‘He’s like Steven Gerrard with the way he produces those crossfield balls. He swings the ball out with both feet all the time.

‘Frankie has also scored a lot of goals for us this season. Then again, he does take penalties and most of his goals have come from the spot.

‘He also takes corners and free-kicks, so has that to his game.

‘As a midfielder, Frankie can do everything and I am sure he will do well at Pompey.’

The pair have been team-mates since Magri left the Blues in August. It was a shock exit at the time for supporters and the life-long Pompey fan from Milton, but he’s enjoying life at Rangers.

He added: ‘I’ve mainly been playing at right-back but have been doing well.

‘I’ve settled in here and am getting used to it. It’s a bit different to Pompey.

I am enjoying it and feel I’m getting better all the time, though.

‘I was coming back to watch Pompey against Notts County last week as both Jed (Wallace) and Dan (Butler) were playing.

‘I still keep in touch with all the lads and hopefully they’ll get more chances.’