Former Portsmouth youth product Oscar Johnston shining on AFC Portchester return after trial stints in Sweden and Scotland

The 19-year-old, who was released by the Blues last summer, still has a driving ambition to make it in the professional game.

But, for the moment, he is back with the Royals and has had a key role to play in each of his two appearances since returning to England.

Former Portchester manager Mick Catlin brought in Johnston in pre-season after Pompey let him go.

However, his stay proved to be a brief one as the lure of trialling with professional teams in Sweden proved too great.

Despite not earning a deal with a Scandinavian side, Johnston returned and spent six weeks in Scotland in a bid to win a contract.

Yet, after trialling with several league clubs north of the border, he was still left without a club.

But that has worked to the advantage of Royals interim manager Marty Wallace.

Johnston scored the opening goal in a 3-0 home win over Blackfield & Langley before lockdown last month and set up Lee Wort for his first of three goals in a 3-0 triumph at Bournemouth Poppies in midweek.

And Wallace has been delighted with his 'fantastic' displays since returning to the club.

‘He’s still got aspirations to try to play football at the highest level,’ said Wallace.

‘We’re delighted to have him and he’s been fantastic in the past two games.

‘He’s spent time away with a couple of visits to Sweden on trial with various clubs out there and he spent six weeks up in Scotland as well going around some of the league clubs up there on various trials, gaining experience and putting himself out there.

‘He’s been an absolute pleasure to have around, to coach and to manage as a player.

‘He’s started both games and has made a real claim to retain his place.’

The Royals, who have won both matches under interim manager Wallace, welcome Wessex League Premier Division leaders to Hamworthy United to the Crest Finance Stadium tomorrow.

It's another chance for Johnston to show his undoubted quality against the division's best so far this term.

And Wallace is already seeing signs of an exciting understanding building between the former Pompey young gun and forwards Callum Laycock and Lee Wort.

The Royals interim manager added: ‘He comes with great pedigree (Oscar) and his style of play is that he’s creative and makes things happen in and around the box.

‘We’ve given him licence to play with a bit of freedom in there. Whether that be one-v-one, creating opportunities for others or, as he’s shown, taking opportunities himself and scoring goals.

‘His link-up play already and building a relationship with Lee Wort and Callum Laycock is just beginning to materialise and it looks really promising.’