Portsmouth defender James Bolton has opened up about the injury hell he's suffered since signing for the club, in an interview with the Portsmouth News.

Bolton joined the club from Shrewsbury in the summer but was injured on the opening day of the season against his former club. He picked up an ankle injury in that encounter, adding to a groin problem he'd carried through pre-season.

He made his comeback this week in the EFL Trophy and he's now determined to make up for lost time, with Pompey languishing in the bottom half of the table.

"You want to come to a club and kick on straightaway," said the right-back.

"You really want to make an impression but football’s football and these things happen. I just have to look at the positives because it’s easy to dwell on it.

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"It has been (tough), massively. It does hit you harder when you’re not fit. You take it for granted, you honestly do. Sometimes it’s not a good place to be. It was more a frustrating one, to be honest."

Bolton admitted that the injury was also coupled with the stress of settling into a new home, but that he's now sorted and ready to produce his best form.

"I’ve found a place to live now. My girlfriend is back at home so she can come down and find a job.

"I’m looking forward to settling and that will help. It can be hard to be away from your family and missus. So I have to look at it positively, see I've got 90 minutes in the tank now - and go again."

Portsmouth host struggling Southend at Fratton Park this weekend, hoping to haul themselves up the fledgeling League One table.

The Verdict

It's not easy for a footballer; he gets a move to the other side of the country and is just expected to settle straightaway by fans. It's not that simple, not when you have roots in a certain area.

Couple that with an injury and I imagine the mental stress is very hard. If he falls out of favour it might mean more upheaval, more moving around and that must play on a player's mind.

James Bolton came through his EFL Trophy duties without incident and will now be hoping to settle down in the first-team squad, as well as the town itself.