The Nigerian is gunning for his second start of the season against the Latics at Fratton Park tomorrow.

Utaka impressed in his outing at Liverpool on Wednesday, grafting hard wide right in a 4-5-1.

He feels new manager Tony Adams deserved better in his first game as Pompey manager.

Now he wants to play a part in helping his boss to his first maximum as Blues boss against Wigan.

Utaka said: 'Hopefully we can get our first win for the manager.

'I really believe that is something we can do against Wigan.

'We want to do it for him.

'It would have been nice to get a positive result against Liverpool, and we should have done that.

'So it would be nice to do that against Wigan.

'Let's just hope we can get the win and are positive in what we do.'

Utaka's career at Pompey has stagnated somewhat after an encouraging start following his £7m arrival from Rennes at the start of last season.

But he looked full of self-belief at Anfield this week.

He thanked Adams for telling him to play his natural game.

And he offered praise to the new Pompey manager for helping him defensively.

The 26-year-old is now hoping for an extended run to show what he can do.

Utaka said: 'Tony encouraged me. He told me to enjoy the game and do what I want to do against Liverpool.

'He wants to help me defensively and offensively.

'You need to play games. When you are playing for 10 or 15 minutes it's very difficult to get something out of it.

'But when you are getting games it's different. You are enjoying it and doing what you do best.

'A run would help my confidence, players need to play games but I am confident in what I do. That is not a problem.

'The most important thing is I'm enjoying the game when I get my chance.

'I work hard, enjoy my football and want the team to get a result.'

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