Fit-again midfielder eyeing Pompey first-team spot

Gareth Evans is eyeing breaking into Paul Cook's first-team as he maintains his injury return.
Gareth Evans. Picture: Joe PeplerGareth Evans. Picture: Joe Pepler
Gareth Evans. Picture: Joe Pepler

The attacking midfielder completed 90 minutes during the reserves’ 2-1 victory over Southend on Monday.

It represented his first full match at any level since damaging ligaments in his knee and ankle in May.

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Evans has already made his comeback this season, featuring for 64 minutes in the EFL Cup defeat at Coventry.

The 28-year-old rates his current fitness at 85-90 per cent as he pushes for a regular first-team presence.

Yet he is confident he can soon challenge for a starting spot in Cook’s Pompey line-up.

He said: ‘I’d like to think I am a naturally fit player, the fitness is coming and I feel 85 to 90 per cent at the minute.

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‘It’s just getting that final bit and matches like Monday help.

‘My left ankle is still giving me a bit of gyp because it is such a weight-bearing joint, you often find that is the case, it takes a lot of rehabilitation, but that is getting there now.

‘I didn’t move for two months because it was such a bad injury, it is going to take a while to get going, but I’m getting there now and definitely feel I should be in and around the first-team picture.

‘Southend represented my first 90 minutes and I was shattered to be fair, but I’ve just got to get through it. It is not about how I play at the minute, it’s more about staying fit and getting fit,

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‘After three months out it is obviously going to be tough on the legs and going to take some minutes to get back into playing the way I play, but how you do that is by playing.

‘I didn’t feel good at Coventry to be fair, I didn’t feel sharp and needed more minutes and games.

‘It’s a case of getting a few substitute appearances and then breaking into the first-team, starting games and getting goals again.

‘Hopefully I can be involved against Exeter and probably play on Tuesday at Yeovil.’

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Evans made 49 appearances last season, scoring 10 times, as he established himself as a key performer.

Cook has since strengthened his right-sided options following the recruitment of Carl Baker from MK Dons.

Yet the Blues boss has admitted his team have missed the qualities Evans can offer.

And the ex-Fleetwood man believes he can fit into whatever system Cook chooses.

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He added: ‘I like to think I offer something different to what the other lads provide.

‘They are more drop in, get on the ball and try to create something, whereas I try to penetrate in behind more and get on the end of things. I do feel I offer something different.

‘I played for two-and-a-half years at Fleetwood in a diamond so am used to that, while all last season was a 4-2-3-1.

‘Hopefully I will be involved at the weekend and go from there.’