Kal Naismith: I’m ready to help Pompey promotion push

The Scot is raring to be let off the leash after recovering from the thigh injury which wrecked the early part of his campaign.

He has totalled only 40 minutes of first-team action since arriving at Fratton Park in a summer transfer from Accrington Stanley.

That includes serving as an unused substitute in four of the Blues’ last five matches.

Naismith gained precious match action in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Reading on Tuesday, featuring for 73 minutes.

And with Paul Cook’s side heading to Cambridge United on Saturday, he is desperate to be given a first-team chance to impress.

He said: ‘Whenever the gaffer needs me, hopefully I can step up and make an impact.

‘I don’t think anybody can go through a career without injuries.

‘I was quite unfortunate with it being a week before the season starting – it could have been worse.

‘I believe everything happens for a reason.

‘It is what it is but I will just keep working hard and hopefully get my chance sooner rather than later.

‘You get down about it at the time, you go to Fratton and I have still not played there yet and it is three months into the season.

‘It feels like everything is passing by so quickly and it is frustrating.

‘I have sat in the stands and watched so many games there, I’ve sat on the bench and still not got on the pitch yet, it’s hard, it’s tough.

‘But the team is doing well and it’s all about us winning.

‘If I am part of that on the pitch and get my chance I will make sure I am ready.

‘I am there, I am ready, I am as fit as I could be without the matches – only with matches you get fitter and fitter.

‘I am sure the gaffer knows that anyway but I am as ready as can be waiting for my chance.’

Pompey travel to a Cambridge United side with one win in their last nine matches.

And Naismith is hoping his display in the midweek 3-1 win over Reading under-21s hand will stand him in good stead.

He said: ‘I’ve been working hard in training but nothing is quite like match minutes.

‘The result against Reading was a good one, all the boys put in a shift and for me it was more working hard off the ball to get my fitness up.

‘I tore my quad (thigh) muscle in pre-season and was trying to get it right, which we did after four or five weeks, so it was a long slog.

‘I had been feeling good in pre-season and started to really grasp the gaffer’s shape in the game at Woking.

‘Then I got injured and had to sit back and be patient.

‘I still am being patient but I’m back in the squad – which is good – just waiting for my chance.’