On-loan Finn Harps attacker Sean Patton on trial at Portsmouth

Drumkeen teenager Sean Patton is on trial at EFL side Championship club Portsmouth this week.

The 17-year-old, currently on loan at Finn Harps from Derry City, has been given a chance to impress by Pompey boss John Mousinho.

Patton played in a friendly as a trialist on Tuesday night with Portsmouth defeat non-League Gosport FC 3-1 at Privett Park. The Donegal native played the first half.

Patton had an instant impact at Harps, scoring a winner against Kerry FC on his debut just days after being brought in on loan.

A former Harps Academy player, Patton signed a three-year deal at the Brandywell recently and Portsmouth – the League One champions last season who will play in the Championship – have eyed him up.

“He has a great opportunity and we just have to see where it goes,” Harps manager Darren Murphy told Donegal Live.

“If he goes and does really well, no-one will be more delighted for him than me.

“This week should energise him and whet his appetite. It's getting a taste for it. I wouldn't have any fear about Sean being able to adapt or settle anywhere.

“He is very astute and he is very aware of the talent that he has. He also listens and is coachable, which is so important.”

St Johnston man Ronan Curtis scored 57 goals in 226 appearances for Portsmouth after signing from Derry City in 2018.

Murphy believes Patton has the raw materials to hit high levels.

He said: “It's brilliant for Sean. He has come into us and done what we wanted in the last couple of weeks.

“He has come in here and hit the ground running. (Derry City manager) Ruaidhri Higgins said to me 'he's ready' before he came in. He has shown that he has the capabilities.”