When Pompey landed AC Milan in the group stages of the UEFA Cup, you could hear the cheers all the way from the Blues' Eastleigh training ground.

A mere six players were present to witness the grand occasion, peering around the door to kitman Kev McCormack's room to glimpse proceedings on the television.

What they witnessed warmed them just as much as any Pompey supporter.

Of course, Heerenveen, Braga and Wolfsburg were also ultimately contained in the draw for Group E.

But it was the prospect of Milan which had the likes of Sylvain Distin, Noe Pamarot and the remaining Guimaraes heroes drooling.

>>> AC Milan will define glorious Pompey era - read Burton's Banter by clicking here.

Not least of all the man who grew up in the Italian city and is an avid Milan follower – Richard Hughes.

The in-form midfielder said: 'What an absolutely incredible draw. It's something as a footballer you can only dream about.

'Milan are my team, their stadium is my Mecca. I have watched them hundreds and hundreds of times over the years.

'Their posters adorned my walls as a youngster. My oldest brother Patrick has a season ticket there. I have so many friends who watch them.

'Now I am going to be playing against AC Milan.

'Paolo Maldini, one of the greatest-ever defenders and my all-time hero will be featuring. Wonderful players like Kaka, Pirlo, Nesta and Shevchenko, who would all get in my all-time XI.

'Just think of it. They are going to be coming to Fratton Park to play in the UEFA Cup. You couldn't make it up.

'There weren't many of us at the training ground and we were taking part in gym sessions rather than kicking a ball around outside.

'Fortunately I had just finished my drills in time to put my head around Big Kev's room and see us drawn out of the hat.

'The significance of Group E meant nothing at the time. It was only when I saw the run down and who else was in it did it sink in.

'You could hear the cheers. It was understandably pretty loud, especially considering there were only six or seven of us actually around.

'Milan were generally the team we all wanted, even if they are the top team in the competition. It's a side everyone wants to play against.

'For everyone it promises to be a fantastic occasion when we meet – but for me more than most it means the world.'

Thursday, November 27 is the date in the diaries now for the visit of the seven-time champions of Europe.

Firstly, Harry Redknapp's troops must visit Braga in a Group E opener on Thursday, October 23.

A trip to Wolfsburg (December 4) and a Fratton Park finale against Heerenveen (December 17) completes the fixtures.

Regardless of the tantalising Milan visit, Hughes (left) is conscious there is still qualification at stake.

He added: 'History has shown six points are going to take you to the next stage and the easy way is to get two home wins.

'All the sides in the group are going to be dangerous, though, and it is up to us to get those six points as quickly as possible.'

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