Posted on: Tue 16 Sep 2008
Club Captain Stephen Clemence has reluctantly refused to set any targets as he battles back to full fitness.
The 30-year-old midfielder has not played for the Foxes since March after limping out of the action after only 10 minutes of the 1-0 victory over Scunthorpe United.
Clemence immediately underwent an operation on an on-going Achilles/ankle injury and set his sights on a return to action during pre-season.
However, complications with the injury have since arisen and as a result he is still some way off a first-team comeback.
Clemence said: "I had my operation at the start of April and personally expected to be back in time for the start of pre-season training.
"I worked very hard with the physios and the club doctor during the close season in an attempt to get myself right for when all the boys reported back.
"Unfortunately that didn't happen due to an on-going problem with the heel area of my foot."
In an effort to cure the injury once and for all, Clemence is now undergoing a new course of treatment aimed at strengthening the bones around the foot.
He added: "It's been a very frustrating period on the sidelines for me and I've now seen three different specialists who have all told me to rest.
"That's what I've been doing but the injury still isn't right so that's why I've gone down this new route to see if the drug makes a difference.
"If it doesn't then it could mean more surgery but I'm not looking that far down the line at the moment.
"But that's why I can't set a date as to when I'll be back playing."
Clemence made 34 appearances last term following his move from Birmingham City, but could not prevent the Foxes dropping down to the third tier of English football for the first time in their history.
"I came here with a lot of expectation on my shoulders having done well for Birmingham for the previous season.
"However, I'll hold my hands up and say that for one reason and another I didn't play well enough.
"Okay, I suffered quite a few injuries but I'm not going to use those as an excuse.
"But now the only way to put that disappointment behind me is to get back on the football pitches and start putting right what went wrong last term."
Clemence has also praised manager Nigel Pearson, who has supported the former England Under-21 international every step of the way.
"The manager has been great with me," he said. "Of course he wants to see me back on the training pitches but understands that my injury is a complicated one.
"I am not going to return unless I'm 100 per cent right because I've done that in the past and that has not really helped anyone."
In the meantime, the Liverpool-born midfielder will continue to follow to follow the Foxes from the stands.
"After last season's relegation we are not in the division we'd like to be in but the lads have got on with the job in hand and there is a great spirit amongst the squad.
"We are winning football matches which is the most important thing and the future does look bright.
"The players are thoroughly enjoying playing under the new gaffer."
