Portsmouth defender handed first-team chance after making loan switch
The defender made three appearances for the Blues during pre-season
Struggling Hawks have turned to Pompey for help in rescuing their season.
Michael Ani has linked up with the Southern League Premier South side on loan as caretaker boss Shaun Gale makes changes.
The promising right-back featured for the Blues in pre-season after signing first-year professional terms upon graduation from their Academy in May.
Now he has the chance to impress in competitive first-team football - and was handed an instant start in the Hawks’ FA Trophy clash with Taunton on Saturday.
Westleigh Park debut
With Aaron Martin sacked as manager on Thursday and the majority of his backroom following him out the door, Gale, his assistant, has stepped up to take temporary charge, although Ani’s debut ended in a 3-2 defeat.
Named at right-back for the Westleigh Park game, he featured for 80 minutes before having to be withdrawn through cramp.
Nonetheless, it was an encouraging outing for the 20-year-old, who made three pre-season Pompey appearances in the summer, having been involved against Woking, Aldershot and Bristol Rovers.
During those matches, John Mousinho didn’t utilise the defender in his favoured spot, instead asking him to play on the right wing on each occasion.
However, Ani will now be bidding to impress at full-back, having previously spent time on loan at Moneyfields in the 2024-25 season.
Academy involvement this season
The Blues had been looking for an opportunity to loan him out this term, with the youngster featuring three times for the Academy in the meantime, including last weekend’s 3-3 draw at Barnet.
Back in February, Ani was part of the Pompey Academy side which won 3-1 at the Hawks in the Portsmouth Senior Cup quarter-finals, albeit playing at centre-half.
He impressed alongside another full-back in central defence - Ciaran Martin - as Martin Jermaine Osifo and Tayo Singerr were the impressive Blues scorers on that Westleigh Park evening.
Singerr was also sent out for loan experience this month to AFC Totton, however he tore his hamstring nine minutes into his debut after coming off the bench.
The promising striker has since undergone an operation and is likely to be sidelined for four months, having joined the National League South side on a season-long loan.
Thankfully, Ani came through his Hawks debut unscathed, with the side next in action on Tuesday night with the visit of fellow strugglers Hanwell Town (7.45pm).
Gale’s side are bottom of the Southern League Premier Division, having taken four points from their opening eight league games, recently costing Martin his job.