MATTHEW Taylor has another chance tonight to prove he is Premiership quality for Pompey - in the Carling Cup.

The golden boy of Pompey's promotion team two seasons ago has not established himself in the top flight.

But former England Under-21 star Taylor, the subject of an inquiry by Tottenham at the start of the season, was back on the bench in

Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Aston Villa and now there is an injury crisis for tonight's cup tie at Cardiff.

Taylor, a left-sided full-back or midfielder, has promised to deal with criticism of his defending and try to emerge a stronger player.

A year ago he was being tagged a future full England international after winning under-21 honours.

But the 22-year-old, who has been given just one League start this term, failed to even make the bench for Pompey's win over United last month and that was the first time Taylor had not made Redknapp's squad when fit since arriving from Luton Town for £750,000 in 2002.

David Unsworth has become Redknapp's first-choice at left-back, with Patrik Berger blocking Taylor's way as a left midfielder, but he plays his third consecutive Carling Cup tie tonight.

And with skipper Nigel Quashie (calf), defender Linvoy Primus (hip)) and Berger (groin) all joining the injury list, he knows a good performance against the Bluebirds could keep his place for the south coast derby at Saints.

Taylor said: "It's disappointing for me not to feel part of the first team, but at the moment it's not happening.

"You feel like you want to complain, but I don't think you can because the team is doing so well."

England Under-21 midfielder Gary O'Neil, recalled from a loan spell at Cardiff by Pompey, cannot face the Welsh side tonight due to a tight hamstring which the Premiership club only found out about when he returned to Fratton Park yesterday.

Steve Stone, Diomansy Kamara and ex-Saint Eyal Berkovic are also out injured.

"Hopefully we haven't lost too much confidence from our 3-0 defeat at Aston Villa on Saturday," said Redknapp.

"It was disappointing but we are not getting carried away - the same as we didn't get carried away after beating United."