Keeper looking forward to Rovers clash
Liam O’Brien is determined to make the most of his first team opportunity.
The keeper has found his appearances limited to the Checkatrade Trophy since returning to Pompey over the summer.
He has already appeared in the group stage clashes with Yeovil and a Reading under-23 outfit.
And that is expected to continue when Bristol Rovers visit the south coast this evening (7.45pm kick-off).
O’Brien said: “It’ll be nice to get a game back at Fratton Park and I’m always looking for a chance in the first team.
“You want to go out there and prove yourself and if there are no matches, then you do it every day in training instead.
“I didn’t get any opportunities in the first team when I was here before, so I’m definitely out to prove a point.
“You’ve got to keep working hard and be ready to take your chance. Hopefully there will be a few more to come for me.”
O’Brien saved three penalties in his last outing against the Royals, although that was still not enough to earn the Blues a shoot-out bonus point.
The 24-year-old said: “When he steps up I know where I’m going and I won’t change my mind, but a lot of the time it comes down to luck.
“It was certainly a strange game – it’s the first time I’ve ever been involved in a penalty shoot-out after collecting a point.
“But it was nice to be on the pitch again and I enjoyed myself, so I’m looking forward to doing that again.”