Paul Doswell: Portsmouth midfielder Adam May on Hawks' radar

But the Westleigh Park manager accepts he might have to wait for a decision, with the Blues eager to find a temporary switch to a National League side for the midfielder.

May returned to Fratton Park last month after his loan spell at League Two Swindon was cut short.

The academy product made only 13 appearances for Richie Wellen’s league leaders as he found game time hard to come by.

A January move to Crawley fell through in the final week of the transfer window, with May failing to seal a move following a trial.

Now attention is turning to the National League as manager Kenny Jackett bids to get the 22-year-old minutes on the pitch before his contract expires at the end of the season.

No decision has been made on May’s Fratton Park future as the clock ticks down on a potential departure.

Doswell’s keen to provide a lifeline as he looks to bolster his side’s National League South promotion credentials.

He worked with May during the midfielder’s loan stint at Sutton United in the 2016-17 season – a spell that included a fifth-round FA Cup meeting with Arsenal at Gander Green Lane.

But he knows the Hawks, who currently sit third in the table, will have to be patient if their approach is to be successful.

Doswell said: ‘We have been in discussions with Kenny Jackett for a couple of weeks about Adam May.

‘At the present time I am thinking Portsmouth are looking at getting him a loan deal with a National League club.

‘But if he was to become available then we would be interested.

‘He had a great spell with me at Sutton United when he was a youngster and featured in our good FA Cup run.

‘It was a win-win situation for us and Portsmouth.

‘We gave him the chance to play senior men's football in the National League and he was getting into the team on merit.

‘That was no mean feat for someone so young at the time.

‘If nothing comes about National League wise and Adam wanted to come to us then we would definitely be interested.’

National League clubs have until March 26 to sign players.

But Doswell believes May is more than capable of playing at a higher level.

‘Adam has all the qualities to be a good all-round midfield player,' added the Hawks boss.

‘At six foot he is a good height, possesses a good engine and is a good passer of the ball.

‘He has everything he needs to be a successful League footballer.

‘He needs a run of games which he didn't get at Swindon so he has come back to Portsmouth.

‘It is all about whether Portsmouth and Adam is prepared to come and play National League South football for 10 weeks.’