Richie Wellens in frame for Leicester City return by end of month
Richie Wellens took a big step towards a first-team return when he made his first appearance since April in the Leicester City under-21 development squad's victory against Crewe on Monday night.
Wellens, who damaged knee ligaments in the home defeat to West Ham at the end of last season and had to undergo surgery, managed to get 30 minutes of pitch-time.
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Leicester City's Richie Wellens made his first appearance since April
The 32-year-old midfielder has spent the summer in rehabilitation but could be back in the first team by the end of the month.
American central defender Zak Whitbread played a full 90 minutes as he continues to catch up for missing most of pre-season, and he could be in contention for City's trip to Wolves on September 16.
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The 4-0 victory against Crewe came courtesy of an own-goal and strikes from Paul Gallagher, Matty James and Jacob Blyth.
Development squad manager Steve Beaglehole said: "It is great for Richie to get 30 minutes.
"It is a nice progression for him. Instead of being thrown straight into a Championship game, he went on in the latter stages of the game and that allowed him to get some pitch-time under his belt. It will be good to get him back.
"The fact you can play three over-age players (under league rules) is great for the boss (Nigel Pearson), because he might have players like Richie who need games, and this is a big part of his comeback.
"For the younger players, you can't buy that experience of playing with the senior players.
"Zak Whitbread was outstanding and his reading of the game at times was a big part of us keeping a clean sheet.
"Cian Bolger and Tom Parkes had a great partnership in the youth team but they have never played alongside a recognised senior centre-back.
"I thought Whitbread could give the players around him more than any coach can in one training session."
Comments
by Beliall
Friday, September 07 2012, 5:49PM
“Richie, your a top player and i cant wait to see you return to the side”
by Tonyglenparva
Friday, September 07 2012, 5:36PM
“Please god this is just typical Leicester Mercury ! - how can we fill another half page. We have at last got mobility in midfield with plaers who know which they shoul be facing”
by VikingFox
Friday, September 07 2012, 1:51PM
“If Jenas would go to any teamin the league it would be the trees, also he is more of an attacking olyer and by god we have enough of those!”
by yorkiefox
Friday, September 07 2012, 12:07PM
“From what I remeber of Jenas, he is an attacking midfield player.
If we go for him on high wages we would then have
Jenas, Drinkwater, Danns, King, James, Wellens, Gallagher fighting for two places if we still play 2 wide men from Marshall, Dyer and Knockaert.
7 into 2 doesn't fit, so who would you propose to loan out to make way for Jenas undoubted talent and high wages, and injury problems”
by ghostof66
Thursday, September 06 2012, 10:19PM
“Glad to hear that you are on the mend Richie, looking forward to you returning to the side when NP decides that the time is right. No need for Jenas whilst you are about.
As for Heskey, he actually sorts out the knowledgeable from the "I believe what the papers say" Any forward that has played with Heskey (club or country) praises his contribution to their success on the pitch.
True, he hasn't scored hundreds of goals but he has never done that, even when at Leicester. If he signed for us I would welcome him but I will go with whatever the manager does.
I do know that I would swop Beckford for Heskey any day. One loves the club the other loves himself.”
by FoxyMo
Thursday, September 06 2012, 1:27PM
“Looking forward to seeing Ritchie”
by FoxyMo
Thursday, September 06 2012, 1:26PM
“Looking forward to seeing Ritchie”
by lcfctilidie
Thursday, September 06 2012, 11:00AM
“Well he is midfield so shouldn't effect things up front. Jenas and Drinkwater could be hell of a midfield!”
by dobranich
Thursday, September 06 2012, 10:29AM
“bet a condition would be that he has to play all matches. Is this fair on say Nugent or Vardy or would it be a sub situation”
by lcfctilidie
Thursday, September 06 2012, 10:19AM
“yes he is top class. Can NP attract that good a player on loan? We got Naughton for Spurs on loan so we may have some ties to the club?”