OXFORDSHIRE’S England Under 21 international Josh McEachran is hoping for an opportunity to show new Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas what he can do in today’s pre-season friendly at Portsmouth.

The highly-rated 18-year-old midfielder from Kirtlington has just agreed a new five-year deal with the Blues.

Michael Essien is facing a spell on the sidelines with a knee injury, so McEachran,, could stake his claim for a regular first-team spot as the squad get set for a pre-season trip to the Far East.

“I feel really sorry for Mi-chael because he has had a lot of injuries before, but hopefully it will give me a chance to prove myself to Andre," McEachran said on Chelsea TV.

“Hopefully, I will get a run-out against Portsmouth, that would be good.

“I just want to get more minutes this season, if not at Chelsea then I will go out on loan, but I want to play here as much as I can.

“It was good to play my first game back against Wycombe this week, good to get some touches of the ball and be back in match situations,” he said.