Tony Mowbray believes Moussa Baradji can be an important player for Blackburn Rovers after he made his return from injury.
The midfielder hadn't featured this season after picking up a hamstring problem towards the end of pre-season at Blackpool.
Baradji played the final 25 minutes as a number 10 at Fratton Park, perhaps offering a hint that he will be used further forward under Mowbray.
The 25-year-old played both in deeper and advanced midfield roles last term but never truly found a home. He was used off the left in pre-season by Mowbray and then as a 10 on Saturday.
The head coach sees a lot of potential with the power, mobility and technical quality that Baradji can offer.
"I like Moussa; he is my type of player," Mowbray told RoversTV.
"He's a technical player. He's mobile and dynamic but we want him to impose himself on a football match more than he does at the moment.
"His personality is almost a little bit...he does what he does. I want him to feel like the best player on the pitch. 'Give me the ball and see what I can do'.
"I think we will get there as we move along with him now he's back on the grass training every day and hopefully playing a part in the games because he can help us win matches."
The challenge for Mowbray is to coax more consistency out of Baradji. Naturally, more will be expected of him after spending more time in England and adapting to his new surroundings.
There is clear talent and that is why Rudy Gestede and previous head coach Valerien Ismael were so excited by his arrival. We are yet to see those qualities unlocked on a consistent basis but he is someone Mowbray sees as a potential key player.
"I am still learning about his personality," he continued.
"Whether I can shout at him without upsetting him, learning what is the best way to prod him to keep getting more out of him.
"I will learn that as we go along. I think we have a really good player there that, with the right encouragement, the right management, I can get the best out of him."
The Rovers squad is now starting to look stronger with players returning from injury, with more to follow after the three-week international break.
Mowbray could call on Baradji, Andri Gudjohnsen and Jayden Fevrier at the weekend and the hope is more will be available soon.
"I am starting to have some (selection) issues," Mowbray admitted.
"Baradji is a very talented boy. Gudjohnsen wasn't quite ready for 90 minutes today, he might think he was in his mind but the club felt he was ready.
"Yet he looks a very good player when he comes on the pitch. Fevrier has been very unlucky with the amount of minutes he has played.
"He can shoot off both feet, he only needs half a yard, I think he is a real threat. I am excited to keep working with these players to try and get the most from them."
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