David Nugent is ready to risk becoming a family outcast to boost Portsmouth's survival hopes.
The Pompey striker is a lifelong Everton fan and on Saturday he faces his childhood heroes for the first time in his career.
His family are all True Blues and will be at Fratton Park as Nugent aims to dent the Toffees' hopes of forcing their way into the Champions League places.
Nugent would dearly love to see the Merseysiders sneak into the top four - but not at the expense of Portsmouth's battle to stay in the Barclays Premier League.Pompey are out of the relegation zone only on goal difference and the 23-year-old is desperate for three points - even if it means hurting his heroes.
He said: "I have been an Everton fan all my life so it will be quite something to actually play against them.
"I was a season ticket holder at the Gwladys Street end from the age of seven to 14. Duncan Ferguson was my hero because he was a True Blue, wore his heart on his sleeve and gave 120 per cent every week.
"I used to go and watch them every week and I am in the process of sorting out tickets to see them in the FA Cup semi-final.
"It will feel a bit weird playing against them - but that won't stop me celebrating if I score. That would be a dream come true.
"My family are all Everton fans - parents, uncles, sisters and their boyfriends. They will all be coming down for the game and sitting on their hands.
"This is probably the best Everton team I have seen under David Moyes and they will be tough to break down.
"It would be brilliant if they could get into the Champions League. I hope they slip up against us but then kick on strongly."
Nugent had trials for Everton as a schoolboy but was not taken on and instead signed schoolboy forms for arch rivals Liverpool until he was 14.
He became a trainee with Bury before making his name at Preston North End where 33 goals in 83 league matches earned him an England call-up.
He was drafted in as a replacement for the injured Darren Bent and came off the bench to score a late tap-in against Andorra in the Euro 2008 qualifier in March 2007.
His goal-scoring record led to a £6m move to Portsmouth but rumours of a bid from Everton proved unfounded.
He added: "It would be nice to show Everton what I can do. There were rumours of them being interested in me before I signed for Portsmouth but that was just paper talk.
"There was nothing in it. If there had been I would have run there to sign for them. I would have chosen Everton over anyone."
The switch to the south coast did not initially work out as well as he had hoped as he struggled to force his way into the team.
However his fortunes changed for the better after Harry Redknapp left to join Tottenham Hotspur.
Tony Adams took over and gave Nugent his chance and now new manager Paul Hart has kept faith with Nugent, currently deployed in a wide left role.
He has made the most of his run in the team, scoring three times in 11 matches and he is determined to prove his worth.
He said: "Harry Redknapp spent a lot of money on me. I don't think I was given a fair chance but you would have to ask him why he did not play me.
"That was probably the lowest point of my career, sitting on the bench and making up the numbers. There was not a lot I could do about it except work really hard, do extra training and fitness work so I was ready if I got an opportunity.
"Tony Adams gave me that chance and I scored a few goals playing up top where I like to play.
"Paul Hart came in and has steadied the ship. He called me in straight away and said I was doing really well and he has kept me in the team.
"His confidence in me gave me a boost. I feel I have taken my chance and I am still in the side. I wanted to show I am a Premier League player.
"I could have gone to Ipswich or Stoke on loan but I am glad I stayed. I want to prove everyone wrong and help Portsmouth stay in the Premier League in the process.
"I know what the Championship is about. It is a horrible league to get out of but I do believe we have too much quality to get relegated."
(From Website : http://www.premierleague.com/page/Headlines/0,,12306~1597055,00.html)
