Mansfield Town

Sendles-White speaks following solid senior debut at Fratton Park.

Debutant Jamie Sendles-White was delighted to grab his loan opportunity with both hands and settle straight into our team and put in a good performance in this afternoon’s 1-1 draw with Portsmouth.

The 20-year-old, who joined us an on emergency loan from Queens Park Rangers yesterday, was one of our key players in the contest and looked very comfortable in a three-man defence alongside Martin Riley and Ritchie Sutton.

Our team saw off numerous waves of late pressure from Pompey to pick up a valuable point, which maintains our position of 15th in the Sky Bet League Two table.

Speaking afterwards, the youngster said: “It was a great performance from all the lads. Portsmouth threw everything at us towards the end and we just defended really well. It’s pleasing to get the draw away from home.

“The lads have been great since I’ve come in. They’ve been really welcoming and they’ve helped me every step of the way. They’ve been great with me before the game and during the game it was the same, so it’s been really good to just slot in.

He added: “It was a great debut to have. The [Portsmouth] fans were really getting on our backs at stages, but I thought we dealt with it well and grinded out a result.”

Sendles-White, a Northern Ireland youth international, is yet to make a competitive appearance for his parent club, and only found out late this week that he would make his senior bow in today’s contest.

“On Thursday, the gaffer [Paul Cox] rang me and said that I was going to start, so I’ve been preparing for this game since then,” continued Sendles-White.

“[QPR] have said to me to go out and show people that I can play [at senior level]. It’s a great opportunity for me to get some games under my belt and they’ve said that I should just take it with both hands.”

When asked what impressions he has already formed about this level of football, the centre-back said: “Every minute of the game is a battle. You can’t switch off for a second, otherwise you’ll get punished, and it’s very physical compared to what I’ve played against previously.”

Outlining his target, he added: “I want to play as many games as I can and help the team pick up as many points as we can, whilst I’m here.  If I do well enough whilst I’m here and the gaffer wants me, hopefully [the loan] can be extended longer. I just really want to grab this opportunity with both hands.”