Winger delighted to be fit again
Kal Naismith hopes his Exeter cameo will help kick-start his Pompey career.
The summer signing from Accrington suffered a thigh injury on the eve of the new campaign that kept him sidelined for the first seven games.
But he was brought on during the second half of the Blues’ Johnstone’s Paint Trophy defeat at St James Park on Tuesday evening.
And now Naismith is looking to build his fitness and earn a regular place in the starting line-up.
He said: “It was good just to be involved in the group again – to travel up with the lads and get out on the pitch.
“The result was disappointing, but when I sit back and think about it, I’m delighted to be playing again.
“When you move away from home football’s your escape, but I didn’t have that. I was coming into the treatment room every day and it was tough.
“But that’s football – you’re not going to go through your whole career without picking up injuries and I’ve been quite fortunate in the past.
“I’m not at my highest fitness level yet, but I’ll be working hard to get there and doing as much extra work as I can.
“Training on Thursday was quite intense and I came through that okay. I’ve never had a muscle injury before, so I’m getting more and more confident the more I’m out there.”
Naismith spent two seasons with Stanley and is hoping to be involved against his old side on Saturday.
He said: “I’ve never played against a former club before, but it will be good to see all the lads again.
“We’ll have a chat before kick-off, but then the focus just switches to the game and trying to get three points.
“They’ll be well organised and there are no egos in the changing room, so it’s definitely going to be a tough game.”
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