Portsmouth would favour Haji Mnoga non-league loan move - but Football League experience not ruled out

Kenny Jackett would favour sending prospect Haji Mnoga out on a non-league youth loan in a bid to aid his development.
Pompey defender Haji MnogaPompey defender Haji Mnoga
Pompey defender Haji Mnoga

But the Blues boss has not ruled out allowing the 18-year-old to temporarily join a Football League club should something 'quality' come up.

Pompey are keen to get the highly regarded defender some minutes in men's football away from PO4 this season.

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Mnoga has been part of the first-team squad in pre-season but it appears playing opportunities will be hard to come by this term.

Right-back Callum Johnson's arrival earlier this week from Accrington pushed the England youth international down the pecking order.

Meanwhile, James Bolton is also vying for a spot in the same position.

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Jackett has since stated that was just a 'one-off' in order to get the teenager some much-needed game time.

Yet, the manager is weighing up whether to send Mnoga out on loan in the early stages of the season.

Ideally, that would be on a youth loan at a non-league club so the Blues would have a quick recall option should they need to call the player.

But Jackett would also assess things should a Football League team want to take Mnoga until January.

He said: ‘We’ll see (getting Haji out on loan).

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‘There is flexibility with the youth loans where you can get someone out for some games and some minutes and then call them back very quickly.

‘For Haji, he’ll stay quite close to us at the moment and we’ll assess the situation over the next couple of weeks.

‘A youth loan is non-league.

‘If something came up and it was of a considerable quality, let’s say, then perhaps it would be worth letting him go through until January.

‘But as you see now, some very good players have started their loans in non-league playing men’s football - at 18 that’s not a bad thing either.

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‘It gives you a bit more flexibility if that’s what’s on offer.’

Jackett added the club are yet to receive any offers for Mnoga.

He also stressed the need for keeping the youngster close to the first team in order to assist with his development.

‘Nobody has come in for him, we’ve had no offers in terms of anyone coming in on loan,’ said Jackett.

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‘We’ll juggle the two with him getting some game time as well so that he does stay close to us in his development and stays wanted.’

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