Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

The 28-year-old missed the Blues’ opening six games in all competitions after picking up an issue to his plantar fasciitis in the penultimate pre-season game against Coventry.

Robertson was an unused substitute in the Pompey’s’ 3-1 win over Bristol Rovers before making his first start of the campaign in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Newport.

While the former Rotherham man remained sidelined, Michael Morrison and Sean Raggett developed a strong partnership in defence, which saw the Danny Cowley’s side concede five goals in their opening five league games

The central defender was left frustrated by the timing of his injury and understands it’ll be tough to displace the newly-formed pair at the back.

He told The News: ‘It was really frustrating for me to pick up the injury because I had a good pre-season, felt fine but the last game I felt something in my foot and had a little issue with the plantar fasciitis. It was frustrating for me.

‘The foot is fine, it was always the case to play 60-70 minutes so I feel fine. The first 15 minutes were frantic, it was a 100mph game and it was tough to get back into the swing of things.

‘I only missed a few weeks and I played almost all of pre-season so I’m hoping it won’t take me long to get back into the swing of things. I’ve got a fight on my hands now I’m back.

Pompey skipper Clark Robertson was left frustrated with the timing of his foot injury and understands the challenge of displacing Sean Raggett and Michael Morrison in defence.

‘The team has played really well in the first six games of the season, all the boys know we’ve got strength and depth so it’s just about putting on performances in training.

‘When you get chances, like against Newport, we need to be better, better as a team to get into the starting side on a Saturday in the league.’

Pompey remain undefeated in the league, which has seen Cowley’s side sit third in the table after the opening five games.

Robertson believes it’s been a positive start to the season, but insists the real challenge comes against Port Vale on Saturday.

‘It’s been a good start to the season, we know we can get better and that’ll be the real test on Saturday to really show what we’re all about.’ He continued.

‘We need to show that we can bounce back from defeats because you're not going to go the full season unbeaten.

‘It’s important that we do get together and not let this defeat affect us and put in a good performance on Saturday.’

Portsmouth skipper’s big admission ahead of defensive 'fight' with ex-Norwich City and Leicester City men