Loan defender Haji Mnoga is back available for Gillingham today (Saturday) after a nightmare debut.

The young Portsmouth defender was sent off against Swindon Town after just nine minutes, picking up two cautions in that time. He will have to now fight for a place back in the side.

“He is available,” said Harris. “I have had more than one chat with him, just about managing the game and the only way youngsters can manage a game is through experience.

“Portsmouth have been very clear, we have borrowed their player because they think he is going to play in their first team this season or next, so he is learning on our watch, but while he is with us it is my job to educate him.

“His education was he got sent off after nine minutes and the learning part is that can’t happen again. Did we get punished? Well I am pretty confident we would have won the game with 11 men so we got punished by dropping two points but we got a clean sheet and a point and built a great chemistry between the fans and the pitch (the match ended goalless).

“There were a lot of bonuses for me but we don’t want to be in that position again, with any of my players. Haji needs to learn fast so that doesn’t happen to him again in his career.”

Portsmouth boss Danny Cowley said: “I know he’s disappointed, Neil Harris and Gillingham have shown a lot of faith in him.

“I know he felt he had let them down and will be eager to respond.

"It’s never in the mistake, it’s always in the response, that’s what defines you. I would expect a really positive response from Haji and I think he’ll do really well for Gillingham.”

The two managers are friends and Harris was asked about their conversation regarding Mnoga’s dismissal. The Gills boss said: “I did speak to Danny Cowley. I can’t repeat what was said but there is mutual respect between us, no harm done!”