John Utaka has vowed to see off the challenge of Glen Little in the battle for a starting role at Portsmouth.
Pompey winger unwilling to relinquish starting role
John Utaka has vowed to see off the challenge of Glen Little in the battle for a starting role at Portsmouth.
Pompey bolstered their midfield options with the capture of tricky winger Little from relegated Reading earlier in the summer.
He will provide competition to Nigeria international Utaka, who occupied the right-wing spot for much of last season.
However, the 26-year-old insists the fight for first-team football will bring out the best in him, forcing the new man to bide his time on the bench.
Learning
"We did well collectively last season and I was reasonably happy, but I think my best is yet to come," Utaka told
Nigerian Tribune.
"I think this season will be a very good one for me. Football is a learning process and I keep on learning every day
"I can improve and I will improve. I know there are areas to work on and I can improve on last season.
"I like to play up front, but I am adapting to playing out wide. It's okay and I don't have a problem playing there. It means when I have the ball I can run with it and come inside.
"I'm learning about areas like defending, too. I know I'm growing all the time."
Talent
Harry Redknapp has no doubt Utaka will provide a more potent threat next season, having made an impressive adjustment to life in England during his debut campaign.
"John is a player with such fantastic talent," said the Pompey boss.
"He's got everything. He's so quick and has such amazing skill. He's got strength.
"I think last year was a big learning process for him in the Premier League, the same as it was for Niko Kranjcar the season before.
"I think this season we can see John Utaka become a fantastic player in the Premier League."
