England spurs on Martyn Waghorn to fight for his Leicester City place
Leicester City striker Martyn Waghorn has vowed to use his England Under-21 experience as a platform to fight his way back into first-team contention at the King Power Stadium.
Waghorn is yet to make a first-team appearance for City in the Championship this season, but was named in Stuart Pearce's starting line-up for England's 1-0 victory against Norway on Monday.
He played 77 minutes in their final European Under-21s Championship group game at Chesterfield before making way for substitute Wilfried Zaha.
The 22-year-old Waghorn said it felt really good to be back in an England shirt.
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"I'm always honoured to play for my country, it's a great occasion and to get a start is fantastic.
"Hopefully, I can take this back to the club and push on for Leicester City. I still think I need a few more games before I'm back at my best.
"I missed about eight months last year (through a hamstring injury), so it has taken a bit of time to get back into it.
"But every game is a bonus. I'm just focused on working my way back into it, getting back on the training pitch and going from there."
Waghorn had an impressive first half for England, playing just behind striker Connor Wickham, and was involved in many of the key moments.
A thunderous left-foot strike from the edge of the area early in the game forced a sprawling one-handed save from the Norwegian goalkeeper.
Waghorn was also involved in playing the ball through to Wickham for the Sunderland striker to bag the only goal of the game.
But he admitted that it would be better for his international chances if he was playing regular football.
"I think it would help because I need to get some game-time so I can come back here and stake a claim to secure a regular first team spot for the under-21s," said Waghorn.
"It's a massive confidence boost playing for your country. Hopefully, I can take the experience from the last seven or eight days and take that back to the training pitch, work hard and try to fight for my place at Leicester."
City currently have an abundance of strikers at their disposal, with Jamie Vardy, David Nugent, Marko Futacs, Jermaine Beckford and Jeff Schlupp all fighting for first-team action, while Tom Hopper and Harry Panayiotou are continuing to impress for the development squad.
"There's a lot of competition for places at the moment, but I'm just concentrating on getting fit and scoring goals, so we'll see how it goes," said Waghorn.
"I'm confident I can help us fight our way into the top six."
Comments
by dobranich
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 5:24PM
“Yes Waggy fight for a place by all means but having a half decent game for England under 21s and mouthing off in the LM wont get you there. Taking opportunites with Leicester City will. Being invisable against Burton Albion was not the way back. Accy i presume Waggy and Futacs is a joke or are the pair going on loan to Hinckley??”
by nickbirstall
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 5:19PM
“ACullingham
I like waggy too but dont think the owners or manager will let him and Futacs have three years to get it right then go for promotion! Think Vardy and Nugent (and Beckford and Schlupp)would have something to say too
He needs to carry on showing the commitment and take his chance when it comes along, still think he may benefit from a short term loan to try and get back to the form he showed two years ago”
by acullingham
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 4:07PM
“I've just watched the season's highlights from 2010/11 and some of Waghorn's goals and all round play was superb. This kid has talent he just needs the right coaching and support from an understanding manager. Personally I''d play him off Futacs and let them develop an understanding . Let's bring these young players on and go for promotion in two/three years time.”
by foxinspain
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 3:55PM
“Hope that when Waggy gets his chance for City he takes it with all he can muster,leaving the manager no choice but to pick him for every game.
Cmon Waggy get your head down,you can do it.”
by yorkiefox
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 3:01PM
“All our forwards need match practice to become sharper in front of goal.
This year the supply of chances seems much higher and you cannot blame the forwards for taking time to get used to this new improved supply.
With Waggy, Futacs and Schlupp developing in the wings we have an abundance of attackers, so perhaps it is time to up the demands on the present first choice to supply the goods or to give the others a chance, off the Bench with sufficient minutes remaining to get into the pace of the game”
by lcfctilidie
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 1:13PM
“yes Moore already played at U17 level. Will not be long before he is called for U21's i bet.”
by foxeerod
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 12:54PM
“yeah nice to have a bit of leicester interest in the england squad even if it is only the under 21s for now with waggy and ben marshall , think it will be 3 soon with liam moore .”
by LCFCMike
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 10:46AM
“Difficult times for Waggy, but it's a long old season and we have a good sized and quality squad which will be needed when injuries and suspensions play their part.
The lad just needs to keep working hard in training, and when the opportunity does come, to grasp it and impress.”
by BrumFoxile
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 10:22AM
“At least he is showing the right attitude and commitment and wanting to battle for his place.
Well played on Tuesday and hope to see you back at your best in a City shirt soon.”
by lcfctilidie
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 10:05AM
“Its tough for the lad as I cant really see him starting games while Vardy and Nugent are fit. They are NP's first choice. He will just have to take his opportunities when they come and hit some great form.”