Leon Chiwome has spoken on a ‘tough’ period being out injured, but admits he is now focused on returning to full fitness after scoring his first under-21s goal.
The striker, who moved up to James Collins’ squad in the summer, has been on the sidelines for the best part of four months and trained individually for the majority of the pre-season period and camp in Bratislava. However, the youngster has recently returned to the pitch and scored a late equaliser in a 2-2 Premier League Cup draw at Norwich City – his first strike at that level.
Despite only just working his way back, the England under-17 international has eyes on November’s under-17 World Cup in Indonesia and hopes to be a part of the camp as the Young Lions prepare for the tournament in the upcoming weeks.
On returning to action
“It’s been a long time out, 16 or 17 weeks now, but I’m starting to find my feet. I’ve had a good run of games and scored on my return against Norwich, then we had Liverpool with the 21s which we lost but I’m getting some good experience and minutes.
“I played with the 18s on Saturday and we got a draw out of it which was good, and I played 60 minutes.
“I’m feeling better, taking it game-by-game and just trying to get to full fitness.”
On being out with injury
“It’s definitely very difficult watching your teammates train and you’re just stuck inside in the gym.
“It’s all about strengthening up your injury and other areas of your physicality and trying to stop getting injured in other areas of your body.”
On training alone in Bratislava
“It was tough seeing all your friends play after a month off and then coming back in playing in a foreign country.
It was a nice environment and nice weather, but it’s definitely hard being by yourself but I was still getting involved in the squad activities and that was good.
“I still didn’t come away from the trip thinking it was terrible and I was frustrated. Even though it was hard looking at your team play, it was still a good laugh.”
On stepping up to the under-21s
“It’s a lot different to 18s – not just physically and tactically, but mentally. That’s a massive change and players want to drive more with their standards themselves and with other people.
“You’ve got to hold yourself accountable, the speed of play is quicker and it’s great for development. Not only in your footballing ability, but in all areas of the pitch.”
Leon Chiwome makes it 2-2! ⚽️#PLCup pic.twitter.com/BKZPr9bLso
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) September 19, 2023
On scoring his first under-21 goal
“It was a great feeling and my first under-21s goal as well after being out for so long. It was good.
“It was also my first under-21s game in a year as well so I felt very good.”
On his aims with England under-17s
“We’ve got a camp out in Marbella in a week or so and that’s definitely an aim to get to.
“There’s the World Cup in November which is massive as well trying to following in the footsteps of Morgan Gibbs-White – they went and won it then, so why can’t we go and win it this time? That’s definitely a massive goal.”
