Justin: A Big Step For Me

- James Justin discusses his first start since February 2021
- The young defender played 90 minutes in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion
- Patson Daka was again on target in the Premier League at King Power Stadium

The dynamic full-back operated on the right of City’s defence, providing sound support at both ends of the pitch during the 1-1 Premier League draw with Brighton & Hove Albion.

Justin, speaking after the match, felt it was fitting to make his return against the side he picked up an ACL injury against back in February 2021.

“It was a big step in my progress and getting back, obviously it’s been 11 months, and it’s incidentally the same team I got injured against,” Justin told LCFC TV. “It’s a good one for me to get minutes in and I felt good, so hopefully I can keep pushing and progressing, and we’ll see where we are.

“It’s been non-stop (his recovery). Everyone close to me, all the boys at the training ground will know what it takes to come back from an injury like that, and to come back well, it’s been tough but I’ve had good people around me to help me through it.

“I feel fine. With the extended time, this is what you’re building up to. It’s 90 minutes and physios and sports scientists have layered in different things for me, so when I come back I’m available to play what they want me to.”

Although the Foxes were unable to hold onto their one-goal lead after Danny Welbeck cancelled out Patson Daka’s opener, Justin felt his side showed encouraging signs after their disappointment in midweek.

He continued: “I felt good for most of the game. I could have done better on the goal. It’s probably just one of those things where you come back to play, getting your surroundings, but I’ve got to do a little bit better than that. I can’t be too harsh on myself, I’ve been out for a while and it’s good to be back.

“On the team’s performance, I thought we played well in the first half and started the second half well. We just sat back a bit too much for everyone’s liking and maybe didn’t have the confidence to play through them. That’s something we’ve got to look at in the next week and work on it.

“It's been a big talking point over the last few days since Spurs, but we feel like we’re a team that doesn’t take two steps back. We just keep on building and learn from our mistakes, and hopefully push on.”

City will now have a two-week pause in action as the Premier League’s winter break gets underway, and Justin says the aim now is to continue his involvement when Leicester tackle Nottingham Forest in the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round.

He added: “[I] just [want] to play as many games as possible. Stay healthy, stay fit and help the team in whatever way I can.

“It’s going to be incredible going there and playing in that derby. I’ve heard a lot about it, so I hope it lives up to the hype.”