Pompey believe their participation in the Premier League Cup is giving players vital experience and crucial minutes of competitive action.

The Bliues beat Barnsley to reach the next stage of the competition, which will see them take on Everton, Norwich and Wolves.

The contest is designed to give game time at a decent level to under-23 players.

Pompey coach Ian Foster was delighted with the men on duty for the win over the Tykes.

He told The News: ‘If you’re going to have a complaint it is we didn’t score three, four or five but you are nit-picking really.

‘Matt Clarke has now played 61 minutes in the Checkatrade Trophy, had 90 minutes on Monday and that’s great for him. He has been out for four or five months and had no pre-season, so these are now fabulous match minutes for him.

‘Our two central midfielders (Adam May and Ben Close) had a little bit of bite in them — they can both play football — and the movement and energy up front and off the sides was great.

‘We had Kyle Bennett running back, Noel Hunt chasing down defenders and Kal Naismith going up and down the line for 90 minutes. Everyone enjoyed that game and had a smile on their face.

‘They have earned the right to play the likes of Everton, Wolves and Norwich, which is fabulous for our club because we deserve to play against these teams.’

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