He was left kicking his heels on the sidelines for almost four months.
So Adam May is determined to make the most of his return to Pompey first team action in recent weeks.
Danny Rose’s broken leg saw the teenager come on early against Northampton for his first league appearance since mid-September.
He then started the following fixture at Bristol Rovers on New Year’s Day and May does not want to lose his place.
The midfielder said: “I’m delighted to have got back into the team and we picked up a good result when I came on against Northampton.
“The Bristol Rovers game was obviously a little bit tricky, but I felt we did well overall during the Christmas period.
"I was always going to snap up the opportunity and now it’s just down to me to keep my place in the side."
“It was a horrible injury for Danny, although if it happens and you’re next in line then you have to be ready to play.
“The gaffer always says that the guys on the bench need to be prepared because you don’t know what’s going to happen.
“I was always going to snap up the opportunity and now it’s just down to me to keep my place in the side.
“You’re going to get better when you’re playing regularly and I need to kick on if I want to stamp my authority on the team.”
May will hope to remain in the side when Pompey host Chelsea U21s in the last 16 of the Checkatrade Trophy tonight.
He said: “It’s another game for us to look forward to before we return to league action on Saturday.
“We know it’s going to be a tough challenge, but we’ve done our work in training and know what to expect. Hopefully we can get a win.”