Leon Maloney is hoping the Leasing.com Trophy will soon provide another opportunity for priceless minutes in the first team.
The teenage winger has already made four appearances for Pompey – and all of them in this competition.
Now the Blues are looking to continue their defence of the silverware won at Wembley last term by beating Northampton in tonight’s second round contest.
And although the tie will not attract a huge attendance, Maloney is grateful for any chance to impress the Fratton faithful.
He said: “It’s been massive for me personally and given me the exposure that I wanted – and needed.
“I’ve played a lot of minutes in this competition and now I’m hoping that will continue against Northampton.
"I’m used to training alongside them all the time and they’re just my team-mates at the end of the day."
“If we keep winning and progressing, then that’s going to give me more of a chance to get minutes out on the pitch.
“Even though it’s not the strongest side in these games, there are still a lot of good players involved and that’s helped me.
“The other guys make it easier for you to get into better positions and have more time on the ball, so if they play better, so do I.
“I’ve learnt a lot from them. I’m used to training alongside them all the time and they’re just my team-mates at the end of the day.”
Maloney is hoping to follow in the footsteps of another Pompey academy graduate from the Isle of Wight.
He said: “I feel like I’m representing them and they always love it when a local lad comes through and does well.
“Hopefully more boys will get the opportunity that I’ve had and the likes of Dan Butler, who’s now doing really well at Peterborough.”