What the future holds for Haji Mnoga as Portsmouth boss holds no regrets not loaning youngster out

Haji Mnoga’s hurtling progress continues to be closely monitored by Pompey fans, players and backroom staff alike.

Since making his debut at Crawley in the EFL Trophy as a 16-year-old, the former Trafalgar School pupil has indeed been one to keep an eye on.

From representing England under-17s to signing a professional deal before he could legally buy a pint in a pub, Mnoga’s got plenty of the Fratton faithful talking.

Kenny Jackett resisted temptation to send the defender out on loan earlier this season and instead opted to keep him on the fringes of his first team.

Mnoga delivered an imperious performance at Southend in the EFL Trophy last month, which was further evidence of his development.

And after serving as either an unused substitute or 19th man for the majority of the League One season, he was rewarded by a Football League debut in the Blues’ 3-1 win at Lincoln on Tuesday.

He came on as a makeshift right-winger and made a superb impact during his five-minute cameo.

Certainly, it's justification for Jackett keeping him at Fratton Park, and the boss has no regrets about not letting Mnoga depart temporarily to garner regular first-team experience.

At present, the youngster is primarily regarded as second-choice right-back behind Callum Johnson,

But Jackett feels Mnoga’s long-term future could see him shifted to central defence.

The Pompey boss said: ‘At the moment, he's a right-back and then centre-back. It depends on who is available, what the team is doing at that time and how things are looking whether you put an 18-year-old in at centre-back.

‘Sometimes you have no choice, other times the team is settled and going well.

‘He's played some senior games for us but not that many. It'll very much depend on how he develops and how he does.

‘He's competing for right-back and centre-back. It is logical that his pace can be very useful at right-back and can help us.

‘But with the size of him and the power, it is logical he maybe develops into a centre-back although that's one for the future as and when he starts playing more regularly.

‘I think he can do it in League One. His performance against Southend earlier in the season was excellent.

‘While we had to make two changes to the back four at Lincoln, our defence has been pretty settled and consistent in terms of the goal against.

‘Haji is pushing, definitely. In terms of loaning him out, if opportunities arise inside the club then we want him playing for us.

‘You do need a bit of luck then in terms of making sure the player can get out when he can. I don't regret letting out on loan and he's pushing for a place.’

Mnoga’s Football League debut against Lincoln took plenty of supporters by surprise, although it was a welcome sight nonetheless.

And Jackett explained his decision to bring on the fledgling ace at Sincil Bank.

He added: ‘I felt we may have needed a little be more in the 18-yard box in injury-time.

‘I didn't want them to get a goal back, while it slowed things down and got the young man on the pitch.

‘He's itching to play, Haji, and itching to get involved. He works hard, trains well and his overall ambition is to get into the team.

‘He's on the bench at the moment and knows he's very close to it. We've been pleased with what he's done.’