Drew Talbot is looking to put a frustrating season behind him.
Having started the campaign as first choice right-back following his arrival from Chesterfield, an injury then halted his progress.
But despite going on to make a full recovery, he was never able to reclaim his place in Paul Cook’s side.
His exclusion remains a mystery, but Talbot now wants to focus on forcing his way into the starting 11 under Kenny Jackett.
“I genuinely don’t know what happened,” he says in the official matchday magazine for tonight’s clash with Bristol Rovers. “I started the season quite well and felt I was getting somewhere and then got a bad hamstring injury.
"I’ve had so many injuries in my career and this was worse than any of them because I was fit and not getting the chance to play."
“I recovered from that, but was then never given a reason why I wasn’t involved in the squads.
“That’s football and I certainly don’t hold any grudges – I’m not that sort of person. But I’ve had so many injuries in my career and this was worse than any of them because I was fit and not getting the chance to play.
“I’m at the stage of my career where I need to be playing games and last term felt like a bit of a waste. Now it’s up to me to train well and get back in the team.”
To read the full interview – where Talbot also talks promotion and being the oldest member of the Blues squad – pick up a copy of the magazine from programme sellers around Fratton Park.
Also in issue six, Curtis Main reveals his favourite things, while Conor Chaplin is next to take the ‘Home & Away’ quiz.
We also take an in-depth look at Bristol Rovers, while there are exclusive columns from Mark Catlin, Kenny Jackett and Brett Pitman.
All this and much, much more in a packed 84 pages is available for just £3.