Haji Mnoga earmarked for Portsmouth first-team challenge

That’s the verdict of Kenny Jackett, who has high hopes for the fit-again 18-year-old in the forthcoming campaign.

Injury restricted the defender to one first-team outing last term, along with eight appearances during his final Academy year.

Nonetheless, Pompey tied the highly-regarded Mnoga to a one-and-a-half year deal with a club option in December.

And, following an eye-catching centre-half display against Norwich under-23s last weekend, Jackett believes 2020-21 could represent the youngster’s breakthrough season.

The Blues boss told The News: ‘In the last couple of seasons, Haji has played first-team games as a 16 and 17-year-old.

‘He has reached the grand old age of 18 now. He has more maturity in his play, physically is very, very strong and one we’ve had training with us,

‘It’s an exciting season for him – and Haji will be looking for his breakthrough.

‘He is capable of being in the first-team. We will see in terms of opportunities, but I do think he’s capable.

‘He missed a six-month period with quite a bad metatarsal last year, but is fully fit now and been in training all the way through the play-offs and extended season to where we are now.

‘Haji has completed his second full week and topped it off with what I thought was quite a promising performance in the second half against Norwich.

‘We are not going to loan him out. With the Carabao Cup and EFL Trophy starting before League One, I think there will be plenty of games and opportunities.’

Mnoga has made four appearances since his debut aged 16 years, five months and 24 days in October 2018 at Crawley.

However, progress was last year hampered when he broke the fifth metatarsal in his left foot in August 2019.

Jackett claimed the injury was sustained when the defender fell off a kerb on the way to the Victorious Festival in Southsea.

Subsequently, Mnoga’s sole first-team outing was a right-back start at Walsall in the Leasing.com Trophy in January.

Following the introduction of the salary cap and restrictions to squad sizes, it will inevitably create increase opportunities for youngsters like Mnoga.

And he can expect greater involvement in the approaching campaign.

Jackett added: ‘I don’t think we have enough numbers when the games do start, although we are pretty much used to a heavy schedule anyway.

‘If you look at our games and projected games in the last two seasons, they have been high.

‘That’s why we need Haji around the place and I see him at right-back or right centre-half. He can play in either position.’

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