James Justin insists he wants to STAY at Leicester in the Championship

Leicester City full-back James Justin has insisted he wants to stay with the Foxes despite relegation from the Premier League last season.

Justin, 25, was sidelined for a large part of the 2022-23 campaign after rupturing his Achilles in a Carabao Cup match against Newport. 

This second injury comes after the England fullback was ruled out of much of Leicester’s 2021-22 season when he suffered an ACL injury in a 1-0 win over Brighton in the FA Cup in February 2021.

Before his Achilles injury Justin followed in the footsteps of club colleagues James Maddison and Harvey Barnes by making his Three Lions debut against Hungary, and was even in contention for a World Cup spot in Qatar. 

However he has told Sun Sport he will not mirror Maddison and Barnes in their exits from the Foxes but will fight for the Midlands club in the Championship because of the club’s support through his injuries. 

Justin can play as a right or left back, a wing back or even as part of three centre backs

Justin is gearing up for a long and difficult Championship campaign with Leicester

‘I went from the highest of highs by playing for England to the lows of being injured and relegated’ he said.

‘But I’m staying. Leicester took a chance on me after I won promotion from League One with Luton four years ago.

‘This club has done a lot for my career. They’ve stuck by me through two bad injuries, having previously been out for 11 months with an ACL, and fully rehabilitated me.

‘My plan is to help the team get promoted this season.

‘The Championship is going to be fast, furious, in your face and we’ll not be allowed to breathe for a second.

‘It’ll be a graft with 46 games. You can get comfy in the Premier League playing only 38. It’ll be a shock to some of those who aren’t used to it.

‘We’re not going to get any special treatment because we’re Leicester.’

Justin was left to watch from the stands as Leicester finished the season on just 34 points. 

Justin has two goals and four assists in 63 games for the Foxes amid his injury setbacks

He added: ‘Everyone looks at the talent we had but the final table didn’t lie. It was a bitter pill to swallow because I couldn’t put my stamp on things after I came back from injury.

‘The club had to make a decision about who to register in the squad and no-one could’ve foreseen I’d be back ahead of time.

‘Our relegation was down to a combination of things. We weren’t ruthless enough when we were on top in games and were shipping goals for fun.

‘We had a great run before the World Cup where we kept six clean sheets out of seven but weren’t able to do that consistently and that’s ultimately why we went down.’

Leicester have made around £60m in their sales of Maddison and Barnes. 

Maddison made his long-awaited move to Tottenham on June 28 for a reported fee of £40m , while Barnes joined Newcastle in a transfer believed to be around £38m. 

However the Foxes have quickly reinvested this money, bringing in Spurs midfielder Harry Winks, Everton centre back Conor Coady, Montpellier forward Stephy Mavididi and Manchester City’s Callum Doyle on loan.

They have also secured the services of Denmark and Brondby goalkeeper Mads Hermansen. 

Barnes and Maddison both left Leicester after the club’s relegation from the Premier League

Justin said: ‘We’ve done some good stuff in the transfer window and I don’t think we’re close to finishing the business we’re doing in and out. So there’ll be some more great players coming in to help us.’ 

Additionally Leicester have made a change in the dugout, bringing in former Manchester City and Pep Guardiola’s assistant Enzo Maresca. 

The Italian has been quick to instil the philosophies often associated with his former club and boss, and will look to mirror Vincent Kompany’s transformation of Burnley last season. 

‘It was amazing what they achieved and hopefully we can be similar’ Justin said. 

‘Kompany said when he arrived at Burnley they already had good ideas and a foundation at the club — and we also have that at Leicester.

‘He showed what Burnley could do if they had confidence to play that way.’