Striker thrilled to be back in action
It has been a frustrating spell on the sidelines for Jake Jervis.
A contract dispute with former club Elazigspor prevented him returning for a second Pompey spell in November.
Then, after finally being able to sign for the Blues earlier this month, the striker had to wait for more than a week before receiving international clearance from Turkey.
So it was a happy man that took to the pitch midway through the second half of Pompey’s 1-1 draw with Mansfield.
Jervis said: “It’s a massive relief. It’s not just been the last few days – it was for about four months before that.
“It’s probably been the hardest time in my life and has been difficult for me, my family and my girlfriend.
“At the time it was a good move and a chance to play in a top league in Europe, but things went sour off the pitch.
“But now that’s all been sorted I have to look to push forward and do well on the pitch for Pompey.
“I’ve still got some way to go in terms of reaching full fitness, but it was good to get some minutes.
“I’ll keep working hard and doing extra in training to get up to speed with everyone else.”
Fellow substitute David Connolly teed-up Ryan Taylor to score against the Stags and cancel out Lee Stevenson’s opener.
But Jervis felt that Pompey had done enough for more than just a draw and was adamant he should have been awarded a spot-kick following a challenge by Ryan Tafazolli.
He said: “I thought we deserved the win and it was definitely a penalty towards the end. It was two points dropped.
“Dave did well getting on the ball and made a lot of things happen and there was a chance at the back post that I maybe could have taken as well.”