Ghanaian International, Jeffrey Schlupp has ended his injury nightmare to join Leicester City’s title-chasing dream.
The 23-year-old has spent three months on the sidelines after tearing his hamstring in a training session at Belvoir Drive and was forced to undergoing surgery to repair the damage.
However, the Leicester academy graduate made his comeback as a substitute in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Norwich City, a victory that has kept City top of the table with just 11 games remaining, and Schlupp says he now wants to play his part in what could be the most incredible season in the club’s history.
“It felt amazing to be back out there,” he said.
“It has been good to watch the boys do so well but you want to be part of that. It felt really good to be part of it today and finish on the winning team.
“I did it in training, just setting off on a sprint. It was a nasty tear but I am back now and everyone has been fantastic to me.
“Hopefully I can kick on now and get some more performances in.
“It was a nasty injury that needed that operation. I have just worked hard on coming back without rushing things.
“It was one those injuries where if you rush it you will keep doing it again. I have took my time, worked hard and here I am.
“I have had loads of help. The physio team here at Leicester have always been top notch and they have looked after me well.
“I have come back on time and if anything I am just ahead of schedule. A lot of credit to them.
“They looked after me well at the Princes Grace hospital where I had my operation too. I owe a big thank you to everyone.”
Schlupp has been with Leicester City since his schoolboy days and he admits he has had to pinch himself at times to believe what Claudio Ranieri’s men are doing this season as they challenge for the title and a Champions League spot, but he said he believed they could now go on and achieve something very special this season.
“It is almost becoming normal now [being top of the table],” he said.
“At first it was a shock to see us up there but we definitely deserve to be there.
“I think we have gained the respect from all the other so-called big dogs up there. Hopefully we can keep taking each game as it comes, keep picking up points and see where that takes us at the end of the season.
“I have been here through all of it. We got promoted from the Championship and stayed up last season as well. It has been great times here.
“I don’t want to jinx anything but if we can do something really special this season. Fingers crossed we can keep it going.
“I definitely believe and I hope everyone else does too.”