Goal hero thrilled to be back in action
It has been a long spell on the sidelines for Danny East.
The versatile 22-year-old had not featured since injuring his ankle in a goalless draw against Northampton at Fratton Park just after Christmas.
But he returned to action against the same opposition – and scored the winning goal to stretch Pompey’s winning run to five matches.
And it was a welcome relief for East to get a taste of first team action again after almost four months on the treatment table.
He said: “I didn’t stop running for the first 30 minutes – that’s what the gaffer wanted me to do. But I was pretty tired by the time I came off near the end.
“I’ve overcome a big injury before and I knew I’d overcome this one as well. It took longer than we thought and, but we got there in the end.
“It’s been a frustrating season all around, but especially when we were in our bad run and I couldn’t do anything to help.
“Then we started doing well and I was really happy for the boys, but I wanted to be a part of it and I’m happy that I was finally able to do that.
“I’ve shown what I can do in training during the week, so the manager knows what I’m about and that I’ll give everything for the team.”
East made 19 appearances while on loan with the Cobblers from Hull last season.
And although he was pleased to be on the winning side at Sixfields Stadium, Pompey’s goal hero hopes his former side can beat the drop.
“The boys dug in deep,” said East. “Northampton put a lot of pressure on us, but we held on for the three points.
“They had some good chances at the end, but then we were doing them on the break.
“There are some good people at the club and hopefully they can now go on to avoid relegation. I think they’ve got enough quality to do that.”