'We will be keeping him, he’s not going anywhere' - Danny Cowley on the out-of-contract player definitely staying at Portsmouth

The teenager is among 11 players facing an uncertain Fratton Park future, with their deals expiring in the summer.

However, Cowley has moved to publicly reassure Blues followers that Mnoga remains part of the club’s plans.

In the case of the young defender, the club possess a 12-month option on the contract he signed in December 2019.

Cowley’s own future has still to be settled, with potentially one match left as head coach, although the Fratton Park hierarchy are keen to sign him up longer.

Regardless, Cowley is adamant Mnoga is staying with the Blues beyond this season.

He told The News: ‘100 per cent we will be keeping Haji, he’s not going anywhere.

‘He’s not going anywhere, I can promise you that. He’s ours and we are going to have a lot of fun.

‘I look at him every day and it excites me. I wake up and think “How can I make Haji better?”.

‘He has so many brilliant tools and has a lot to do as well, a lot to improve on.

‘But wow has he got some fantastic tools and, from a coach’s point of view, he’s so exciting.’

Mnoga has appeared nine times this term, including making his Football League bow.

There was also a maiden first-team goal in the Papa John’s Trophy victory at Cheltenham in December.

At the time he was being scouted by England under-19 boss Ian Foster, a former first-team coach at Pompey

Although Mnoga was named on the bench for Cowley’s first match in charge against Ipswich in March, he has subsequently failed to make a squad since.

However, he has often accompanied the team to matches as 19th man.

Cowley added: ‘I love his enthusiasm – and his power and athleticism, wow.

‘I had the pleasure of working in the Championship last year and my goodness are they athletic at that level. I promise you he would not look out of place.

‘Haji’s got loads to learn, technically and tactically, and in terms of emotional control, but he has a really good chance.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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