How youngster Haji Mnoga can establish himself at Portsmouth

But the assistant boss believes the highly-regarded right-back will need a loan spell next season to bolster his Blues first-team chances.

Mnoga penned his maiden professional deal at his boyhood club in December.

It was reward for his promising progress with the club's academy, having also represented England at under-17 level.

The defender only made one appearance for Kenny Jackett’s side before the suspension of the season, however, coming in a 2-1 Leasing.com Trophy win at Walsall.

He’s been behind James Bolton and Ross McCrorie in the pecking order, while a freak toe injury travelling to the Victorious Festival in August sidelined him for two months.

The former Trafalgar School pupil was set to head out to a National League side on loan in January before he was kept at Fratton Park.

But Gallen reckons Mnoga has the attributes to be a regular Pompey starter in the future.

First, though, he needs a stint playing week in, week out to hone his craft.

‘Haji did very well in the early part of the season then had the issue in August with his toe,’ said Gallen.

‘Things settled down for us, with James Bolton and Ross McCrorie dovetailing very well at right-back.

‘It is up to Haji to knock those out of the team and will need a run of games somewhere along the line.

‘He's still very young and is someone we're looking for in the future.

‘He will need to play as many first-team games for someone at the best level he can get to learn as he goes and make mistakes as they say.

‘He does have the athletic attributes in order to become at league player for us, so the best way would be to go out on loan, play regularly and then come back.’