Hendon boss Gary McCann says he would welcome talks over bringing QPR striker Ben Pattie to Earlsmead on a permanent basis.

The 19-year-old, who recently extended his loan at the Greens for another month, is out of the first-team picture at Loftus Road.

Asked if he would be interested in making Pattie’s loan permanent, McCann admitted that it is a discussion he would entertain.

The Greens boss said: “He started off ever so well. Like any striker he needs to score on a regular basis and from that his confidence will undoubtedly grow.

“He’s been unfortunate with a couple of situations he’s been in. He’s worked hard and definitely bought into what is required from this team.

“He’s a top lad I’ve got a lot of time for, though, and he’s proven to be a good addition to the squad and around the place.”

Despite that McCann has doubts about whether Pattie, who has also spent time on loan at Woking this season, would be prepared to drop down to the Ryman League on a full-time basis.

He added: “Coming out of QPR I think he’ll want bigger and better than Hendon. I think he’s come to us to put himself out there in the shop window and hopefully impress and score goals. So from that he’d be aspiring to get a contract at a lower-league club, but we’ll wait and see what happens. It’s certainly something we’d be interested in discussing with him.”

Hendon’s last outing was a 5-5 draw against their landlords Harrow Borough in a thrilling Boxing Day derby.

It was a real Christmas cracker for the neutrals but McCann was less than impressed after seeing his side throw away 4-1 and 5-3 leads.

He tweeted: “The inability to defend in our last two games has been unacceptable. Too many underperformed again.”

The game started at a frenetic pace, with Borough taking the lead inside the first minute. Marc Charles-Smith chested a ball down from the left into the path of Lewis Driver, who cleverly lifted the ball over Hendon keeper Joe Wright.

Harrow’s joy didn’t last long though as goalkeeper Jamie Cassel – who was making his competitive debut owing to an injury to QPR loanee Conor Hudnott – flapped at a long throw-in from the left, punching the ball into his own net to make it 1-1 after just five minutes.

Things went from bad to worse for Cassel two minutes later as he failed to deal with an inviting ball into the six-yard box, with Kezie Ibe reacting quickest to bundle the ball home and put Hendon into the lead after seven minutes.

Borough continued to look hesistant at the back and were soon 3-1 down as Carl McCluskey sprinted away from his marker to meet a corner with a near-post header.

Incredibly, Hendon extended their lead to 4-1 in the 21st minute as Finnbar Robins curled a free-kick over the wall and into the net, and Robins and Ibe then went close to scoring again before the break as the game threatened to become embarrassing for Borough.

However, Steve Baker’s men staged a stunning comeback, scoring two goals before the interval to give them renewed hope.

First Driver headed home powerfully from close range after Harry Newman’s knock-down on 41 minutes, netting his second goal of the game, and Charles-Smith then struck with a brilliant solo effort in first-half stoppage time to make it 4-3 at the break.

Borough began the second half with a spring in their step, but it was Hendon who got the next goal just before the hour-mark.

The experienced striker Adam Wallace smashed the ball past Cassel to make it 5-3 and seemingly put Hendon on course for victory.

However, Fejiri Okenabirhie halved the deficit again three minutes later – and Charles-Smith equalised with 15 minutes remaining.

Hendon remain in the bottom six as they prepare to host local rivals Wingate & Finchley on Saturday.

Fans will be able to pay what they want on the gate, while those who are unable to attend can still make a donation online. Visit www.hendonfc.net for details.