The Blues striker is desperate to prove his worth after failing to justify his big- money £6m move from Preston last summer.

And he's gunning for Saturday's semi-final against West Brom to make his point.

The 22-year-old has been something of a cup talisman for Harry Redknapp this season.

He has netted three times in five knockout competition appearances, including the third-round winner over Ipswich which set the Blues on their journey in the first place.

Pompey need goals from somewhere for the Wembley trip, with eight-goal top-scorer Defoe cup-tied.

Kanu will definitely start, with Nugent vying with Milan Baros to be his strike partner if Redknapp opts for two strikers.

And the fit-again ex-England man is itching to use the showpiece to kick-start his Blues career.

He said: 'Pompey have paid a lot of money for me and it's time I started showing I'm worth it.

'My match fitness is coming back and I think you will now see the real David Nugent.

'It's time to show the fans what I can do.

'The supporters have been brilliant but I feel like I haven't given them enough yet.

'Now I'm injury free it's about showing them what I can do.

'Some clubs came in for me on loan but I didn't want to go. I didn't think it would be of benefit for me.

'I had just come from the Championship, I didn't want to fall back down there.

'I want to prove I'm good enough for the Premier League. I want to show how good I am.

'I don't feel I've given enough to this football club yet so this is my time to show what I can do.

'I've got the buzz again and it's going to be nice to be involved on Saturday.

'We've got a great chance of winning and hopefully I can help.'
Nugent suddenly feels wanted again, having been the subject of loan interest from both Stoke and Ipswich recently.

But he has no intention of leaving.

He added: 'When the gaffer called me in to say these clubs were interested I said I'd speak to my agent – but deep down inside I didn't want to go.

'I want to stay at Portsmouth. I want to show my worth to the team and give my all to the gaffer because he paid so much money for me.'