'Excitement at what is to come' - Chaplin

Conor Chaplin started his career at Portsmouth

Portsmouth's Conor Chaplin said that he is "excited" at what is to come after a scoreless draw against bitter rivals Southampton in the Championship.

The 28-year-old was a deadline day loan signing for the Blues, returning to the club where he started his career.

He started and played 90 minutes for Portsmouth in what was the first league South Coast derby for 13 years.

"I'm proud of the boys and proud of the football club," Chaplin told BBC Radio Solent.

"We have come to a side that was in the Premier League last season and were a better team for large spells of the game.

"There's a proudness there as well as excitement of what is to come after a result like that. There's a tinge of disappointment too - we definitely could have scored and won the game.

"We had moments and chances we feel we could have scored in both halves, we felt like we were a real threat on the counter attack."

Chaplin, who has returned to Fratton Park on a season-long loan from Ipswich, made his 123rd appearance for Pompey, just over seven years after his 122nd.

The attacking midfielder said that he he had offers from other sides in the division but had his heart set on one club.

"You couldn't write it, the derby is a great occasion to come back to," he added.

"I have to thank Kieran McKenna for letting me back, there was other interest but if I was to go anywhere it would have to be here, I didn't want to play for anyone else in the division.

"I didn't have the same feeling or excitement at playing for anyone else, I want to contribute on and off the pitch while I'm here."