Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool – no opposition is too daunting for the plucky underdog who just loves giving the big boys a bite.

Of his 105 Pompey appearances, a fair old chunk have come up against the Premier League's leading lights.

This season has already seen Hughes bloody the noses of Chelsea and Arsenal at Fratton Park during increasingly rare starts.

While of the 11 occasions he appeared in Harry Redknapp's line-up last term, four came with Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal in opposition.

Hughes is truly the man to step up for the big games – and doesn't he just relish it.

He said: 'I seem to mainly play in these big games but it's not frustrating at all.

'I very much enjoy playing against the best players and the best teams in the country.

'And I think sometimes those sort of games suit my characteristics a little bit more.

'When it's about trying to break the play up and keeping the team ticking over and trying to destroy the opponents' attack I am seen as the player to do that.

'I like to think I'm in the team to try to win the ball back.

'I'm a defensive midfielder and that's what you are called upon a lot more against the top four teams.

'Whereas against teams that perhaps you have to make more of the running you are looking for more offensive traits.

'I don't think it's totally coincidental that I have been involved in games against the top four percentage wise a lot more than others.

'These are the games I will look back on hopefully at the end of my career and be thankful.

'Perhaps I may have played more games at another club but they wouldn't have been of the same calibre, the same importance, the same significance of these ones.'

Unfortunately for Hughes, the big four have been safely done and dusted this season.

But he still retains hope of featuring in plenty of other matches before the campaign is out.

He added: 'It doesn't have to be the top four.

'I would like to think I can play against other teams as well when called upon, such as cup games.

'It's not rocket science, the manager knows I am a more defensive midfielder than an offensive one and there are more offensive players in the squad.'