Nugent keen to prove his worth

Portsmouth's David Nugent has staked his claim to fill cup-tied hero Jermain Defoe's boots in the FA Cup semi-final against West Bromwich Albion at Wembley on Saturday.

And the £6million former Preston and England striker admits: "Pompey paid a lot of money for me and it is about time I showed I'm worth it."

Nugent, 22, has yet to score a Premier League goal and has rarely made the starting line-up since his move from Deepdale in August, but Pompey need a goal threat for the Wembley semi-final clash with Albion as Defoe is ineligible having already played in the cup for Tottenham before his £7.5million Fratton Park switch in January.

Although Nugent scored the winner against Ipswich in the third round, he has rarely figured since and has been laid up after a hernia operation.

He said: "I'm injury free now and its all about wanting to show what I can really do. I've played in discomfort for some time but I don't feel I've given enough to this football club yet.

"I want to prove I'm good enough for the Premier League and the chance to play in the semi-final of the FA Cup could be the ideal way to do it."

Pompey boss Harry Redknapp is set to frustrate Nugent again, though, by picking Nigerian veteran Kanu to lead the attack.

Redknapp said: "Of course we'll miss Defoe. He's got eight goals in seven games for us but we played a long part of the season without him and still did well.

"We've also got Kanu, Milan Baros and David Nugent so we are okay. Baros is due to score a goal for us. He's ready to do the job and he's played at the top level with Liverpool, Aston Villa and the Czech Republic.

"A lot of people were surprised we managed to get him on loan from Lens. He's done well and there's nothing wrong with his confidence."