Keeper closing in on Portsmouth debutÂ

Pompey have been given the green light for Petar Durin to feature for the academy.
Pompey Academy keeper Petar DurinPompey Academy keeper Petar Durin
Pompey Academy keeper Petar Durin

But the talented keeper must first shake off a minor injury before he's handed his debut 

Durin moved to Fratton Park from Serie A outfit Atalanta for an undisclosed fee in June, signing a two-year deal.

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Yet, the Croatia under-18 international has been forced to wait to make his bow.

Pompey Academy keeper Petar DurinPompey Academy keeper Petar Durin
Pompey Academy keeper Petar Durin

The Blues' hopes of playing the 17-year-old have been held up by Fifa granting him clearance to feature for the club.

As a result, Durin has had to frustratingly watch his Pompey team-mates from the sidelines.

However, the stopper has now been granted international clearance and will challenge Leon Pitman for a place between the posts in Mark Kelly's academy side.

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First, the fledgling talent will be put through his paces as he looks to recover from a slight knock.

Kelly said: '˜Petar's still got a slight knock so he's just working off that at the moment.

'˜He's is done now, ticked the box and is ready to play.

'˜He's just got a couple of little injuries and a couple of things he needs to get over.

'˜Because he missed pre-season training, he's now doing a mini one of his own.

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'˜He's got a little bit of a problem and we have just got to be patient with him.

'˜We're all chuffed that he's ready to play when his body is ready to develop and away he will go.

'It's another tick in the box.' 

Pompey Academy travel to Bristol Rovers in the Youth Alliance League south west division on Saturday.

They then meet Cray Wanderers in the FA Cup second round.

Win that tie and the Blues will travel to Liverpool in the third round.

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