Portsmouth defender Haji Mnoga has told The News that he would be willing to leave the club on loan this summer in order to continue his development. 

The teenager is currently on the fringes of the Pompey first team at present and has made just 14 senior appearances to date since progressing through from the academy.

Danny Cowley recently pledged to find the 19-year-old at least 35 games during the upcoming season, which means a loan move is very likely.

Now Mnoga has stated his desire to head out in a temporary move away from Fratton Park in order to get more regular minutes under his belt, as he made the following remarks recently over his future:

"At the end of last season, the gaffer (Cowley) told me he wanted to find me 35 games, which is positive.

"I want that to be at Pompey, it's my home town, the team I play for, I want to go out there and represent them.

"If it happens to be out on loan then so be it. I just have to go into it with the mindset that it's still very good for me, it's the experience I need. It doesn't necessarily write off my chances of ever playing for Pompey."

The versatile defender predominately plays at right back but is also capable of filling other roles where required, which means there are many strings to his bow at such a young age.

Born in Portsmouth, Mnoga was due to go out on loan to Weymouth last season until the move was scuppered by the club's insistence on keeping him at Fratton Park as back up.

The Verdict 

I think this would be the right step for all concerned, as realistically speaking, the teenager isn't going to get much in the way of regular game time if he stays put on the South Coast.

A loan move to another club in either the Football League or the higher levels of non league would certainly give Mnoga the minutes that he craves and it would in turn only help to progress him on further.

He is amongst the best young talents that the club has at it's disposal and therefore they need to make sure that they manage his development pathway properly.

If he goes away and has a full season elsewhere, he could well go on to become a first team regular for years to come in a blue shirt.