Midfielder pleased to make home debut against Cambridge
Pompey fans could have been forgiven for forgetting that Stanley Aborah was still a member of the squad.
The midfielder signed as a free agent outside of the transfer window in February, having left Notts County the previous month.
But his first appearance did not arrive until the closing moments of last Monday’s promotion-clinching win at his former club.
Aborah was then handed his first start against Cambridge at the weekend and impressed in a 2-1 Fratton Park triumph.
He said: “The lads have been performing very well, so it would have been unfair if I’d just come straight into the team.
“There is a great group of guys here with a lot of quality and a manager who is able to motivate all of us.
“Of course it’s frustrating when you have to wait and I would have liked to play a few more games.
“But I was just happy to be out there – although I was struggling a bit in the last 15 minutes or so. That’s normal because I haven’t played much in the past six months.
“I knew the club from when I played here last season, so I know it’s always a full house and that the fans would be great.”
Goals from Carl Baker and Kal Naismith meant that there was no hangover for Pompey following their Meadow Lane exploits.
Aborah said: “It was a great day for me and for the club as well. We got promotion, but still turned up and played a good game.
“We have some top players out on the pitch and on the bench, and we showed against Cambridge that people can come into the team and play just as well.”