Midfielder looking forward to debut
Gavin Mahon has not played competitively since the end of the last season.
But the midfielder is raring to go after penning a one-month deal with Pompey last week.
He was a late addition to the substitutes’ bench for Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Rochdale,
Mahon was not called upon to make his Blues bow, but is looking to make an impression on the south coast.
The 36-year-old said: “I trained on Saturday morning and then I was in Asda at around 1pm when the gaffer called and said he’d decided to put me on the bench.
“He said he’d only use me if we needed to shore things up, but we were cruising in the second half.
“I was with Notts County in pre-season and played a few games. I just had to keep myself fit and hope that something would come up once the season had started.
“My agent’s just done the Gareth Bale deal, so I don’t think he was too bothered about me!
“But Guy’s brought me in and hopefully I can repay him. This is such a big club and I can’t wait to get started now.
“My general fitness is fine, it’s just my match fitness that needs to improve.
“It’s a long season and there are a lot of games, so hopefully I can stay for longer than a month.”
Mahon could make his debut in tonight’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie at Oxford.
He said: “No doubt there will be a few changes and it’s up to the boys who come in to show the manager what they’re all about.
“In any cup competition you want to get through to the later stages when the crowds get bigger.
“Winning breeds confidence in the team, so we’ll go there and look to get a positive result.”