Portsmouth boss Steve Cotterill is hoping to convince Aaron Mokoena to stay on at the club.
South Africa ace given further leave
Portsmouth are hoping to convince Aaron Mokoena to stay on at the club despite the South African not yet returning to training.
The 29-year-old has been on extended leave following his exertions for his country at the World Cup and was expected to return for training on Friday.
However, talks with manager Steve Cotterill have resulted in the player being given until the end of July to return, meaning he will miss the team's pre-season trips to America and Canada.
Mokoena still has two years remaining on his current deal, but after playing a starring role in Pompey's topsy-turvy season that saw them relegated from the Premier League with a points deduction and an inspired run to the FA Cup final, rumours suggest he may not be willing to take a step down.
Cotterill, however, is confident he could persuade the Bafana Bafana skipper to stay at Fratton Park.
"I spoke to Aaron on Monday night. He phoned me to ask if he could come back a bit later," Cotterill told the
Portsmouth News.
"He was meant to be back today, but wanted to know if he could have a bit more time off.
"Aaron has been in a lot of demand in South Africa due to his role in the team and the World Cup. He's not stopped.
"He's also getting married at the weekend, so I've said he can have a bit of extra time off.
Discussions
"It's not a problem. Aaron is absolutely fantastic, an absolute gentleman and someone I definitely want to stay. We are going to start having discussions with his representatives about him staying.
"I don't want him going anywhere else.
"We'll see what happens with the talks but I want him to stay."
The former Cheltenham and Notts County boss also gave his reasons behind giving the ex-Blackburn centre-back more time off, stating it is down to his overall fitness following the World Cup, where South Africa failed to make it past the group stage.
"At this rate, by Christmas Aaron will be dead on his feet," he added.
"That's something nobody wants to happen and we have to bear that in mind.
"We've got to look after him a bit and that is why he's been given extra time off.
"He'll now be back when we return to the UK after our pre-season in America."
