Kanu insists he is ready to fight for his Portsmouth place after falling behind Milan Baros and Jermain Defoe in the striker pecking order.The Nigeria forward added his side's fourth goal after coming on from the bench in the 4-2 win over Birmingham in midweek - but has seen his starting chances limited since the arrival of January signings Baros and Defoe, who scored twice against Blues.

But Kanu, whose 90th-minute strike against Alex McLeish's men was his first since September, is ready to push Harry Redknapp's transfer-window additions all the way.

Pompey are at home to Aston Villa on Saturday and Kanu has signalled his hunger to be in the first team.

"Whenever I come on it's my chance to contribute and work hard for the team," he told Portsmouth newspaper The News.

"I scored a goal as well (against Birmingham). I haven't done that for a while, and helped the team win so it was pleasing.

"But for me, every player who sits on the bench doesn't enjoy it, you want to be out there playing and I am no different.

"As a substitute, it is always difficult. The first 10 minutes is hard, it takes time to adjust to the speed of the game - it is 10 minutes after that when you get into it.

"You need time to make an impact but as a substitute it doesn't happen.

"It can be annoying, especially in a game like this when we have more chances to score more goals.

"I want to spend the rest of the season starting matches, not as a substitute."

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