PORTSMOUTH manager Kenny Jackett has tipped Dion Donohue for Welsh national honours in the future.
Bodedern born-and-bred Donohue, aged 24, signed for League One side Pompey from Chesterfield at the start of the season and has impressed in his debut season, making 32 appearances.
His manager, former Swansea City, Millwall and Wolves boss Jackett, told S4C’s Mwy o Sgorio that the Fratton Park faithful have taken to the ex-Everton academy prospect.
He said: “He’s done very well, he’s had a good season. He’s popular with the supporters and he’s well thought of at the club, by the players and the staff.
“He played quite a few different positions before coming to us but he’s mainly settled down into the left back position. He has a fantastic left foot and a very good delivery, and that’s been a key part in some of our good play this year.
“Getting into the Wales squad has to be his aim. There are other players from the third tier, like Tom Lockyer from Bristol Rovers, who the national team have had a look at.
“Dion has to just concentrate on Portsmouth, work as hard as he can, make sure he soaks up all that information, learning from games and working on his fitness.”
With the south coast outfit currently occupying seventh place in the SkyBet League One table, hopes of promotion are still alive and well among expectant Pompey supporters and although now a regular fixture in the side, Donohue admits that it took him a while to get used to playing at a packed out Fratton Park.
The former Caernarfon Town player, said: “Portsmouth is one of the biggest clubs in the league. The fanbase is unbelievable. We get 18,000 here every week, so to make the step from playing in front of 6,000-7,000 [at Chesterfield], to this, is a bit of a jump.
“There’s a lot of pressure when you come here and you have to deal with that pressure. But once you’ve over that everything becomes easier.
“It would mean everything to me to wear that red shirt. Everyone wants to play for their country growing up, so it would be nice to get the phone call! I just have to concentrate on playing well for Portsmouth.”
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