Braybrooke: I’m Building My Fitness Back Up

- Sunderland defeat for the Leicester City Development Squad on Friday evening
- Sammy Braybrooke shared his thoughts on the defeat
- The midfielder scored a first half free-kick at Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground

Braybrooke featured for the young Foxes on Friday evening at Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground as the visitors fell just short against the Black Cats.

Focusing away from the result, the midfielder stated how happy he is to be back on the pitch in recent weeks following a long spell on the sidelines with injury.

“It’s been a tough introduction back into it with three away games,” Braybrooke opened with. “It would’ve been nice to be at home but I’m certainly building my fitness back up again now and getting better each week.

“Hopefully I’ll be able to get 90 minutes in the tank soon and then I’ll be ready to push on next season. I’ve learned to never forget why you’ve started and never forget what you’re trying to achieve. Hard work always beats talent.

“This injury is one of the hardest things I’ve been through, but I’ve been with a group of lads that have helped me all the way. If you keep working hard, then you’ll get the rewards at the end of it.”

When asked about his return to fitness, Braybrooke explained how it is taking time to get back to 100 per cent, both mentally and physically, but he is enjoyed being in contention.

He marked his name on the scoresheet against Sunderland with a brilliant first half free-kick, and hopes his development continues over the remainder of the season, to push on in the summer.

“It’s always playing in the back of your mind when you come back from injury,” Braybrooke added. “Sometimes when you have a change of direction or go in for a tackle, you don’t want it to happen again.

“But when you start training more and more, your confidence comes back, and all those thoughts go out of your head.

“Hopefully over the next few weeks, I’ll be able to play 90 minutes and that’ll be good for my body, and I’ll see how I feel after that. But getting back to fitness and playing with the boys – it’s a great feeling to be back.

“I fancy myself with a free-kick, I scored one on the last game before my injury so it’s always nice to score one. I’m always practicing my free-kicks because to me it is an opportunity to score, and thankfully I did today.”