O'Brien happy to be back at Blues
He has had to wait more than eight years to be handed a Pompey debut.
But Liam O’Brien is finally set to make his Blues bow at Yeovil in the Checkatrade Trophy tonight (7.45pm kick-off).
The academy graduate departed in 2010 after failing to break into the first team, going on to feature for Barnet and Dagenham.
He recently returned to Fratton Park on a short-term deal, however, and is eager to be involved at Huish Park.
O’Brien said: “It’s brilliant for me to be back at a great club. I didn’t get the chance to stay before and if it was down to me then I would have.
“I left here a boy and I’ve come back a man. I’ve managed to get some games under my belt and am looking to show everyone what I can do.
“I’m going to treat the game as I would any other and look to do the best I possibly can.
“I never had the chance to play a first team game for Pompey – I missed out on that when I was here before. It would be a great moment for me and my family.
“The whole place has changed massively and in many ways it’s better than it was when we were in the Premier League.
“We’ve got excellent surroundings with the new training ground and now it’s just up to us to do a job on the pitch.”
The revamped Checkatrade Trophy now has a group stage, while clubs with category one academies have been invited to include their under-23 sides.
O’Brien said: “The rules of the competition have changed, but I can’t really focus on what other people are saying.
“For me it’s 90 minutes of football and any opportunity I have to play is one that I have to take.”