Disappointment at Pompey's Carabao Cup exit to Reading was offset for one member of the much-changed team - by a personal milestone.

Ibane Bowat was finally able to taste some competitive action a year after his Fratton Park arrival - following the knee injury that ruled him out for the whole of last season.

He said the time out had been tough both mentally and physically but now he was keen to get more game time.

Bowat, 22, told the Pompey site: 'It felt great to get 60 minutes out on the pitch at Fratton Park – that’s another real milestone for me. The result was obviously a disappointment, but it did feel like a personal achievement to make my Pompey debut.

'I’ve had to wait a long time for it, so finally being able to play in front of the fans was such a special feeling. The past year has been tough – both mentally and physically – but I’ve had such a good support unit at Pompey.

'Everyone was looking out for me and although it’s not been an easy road, I’m just happy to now be back fit. I used pre-season to build confidence and learn to trust my body again. I felt good out there, which is a relief.

'Now I want to move onwards and upwards – I’m eager to get into the side again, but I’ll have to work for that. It’s going to be tough because we saw at Oxford how good the team is. I just have to be ready for when the manager needs me.'

Bowat is likely to be back on the bench for Saturday's home Championship tussle with Norwich - with Regan Poole and Conor Shaughnessy appearing to be John Mousinho's favoured back four at present.

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