Friday, 18th July, 2014
Aston Villa defender Jores Okore has revealed that he feels like a new signing after returning to first-team training last week.
The Danish international joined the Villains from Nordsjaelland last summer, but after featuring in just three games for Paul Lambert’s side, Okore was sidelined for the rest of the season after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury in September.
However, the 21-year-old, who expressed his delight in returning to training with his team-mates, is looking forward to showcasing his talents in the upcoming campaign.
Okore further admitted that he was “devastated” when he picked up the serious injury, but the youngster was quick to thank his team-mates for helping him through the tough times.
"I am with the lads again now. I am really happy. I am enjoying every second of it. I feel like a new signing actually”, he told Villa’s official site.
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"You have to go out there and show yourself – show the lads and the manager what you can do, even if they do know a little bit about you from before.
"Overall, it's nice to be out there and I really glad to be back there. When I got injured, the first thought was 'I hope it's not that serious.'
"I had hoped it would be just a little tear or something that wouldn't keep me out for that long – a couple of weeks or even a couple of months.
"It was hard. I was devastated. I was just so disappointed because it was my first season – and only a couple of games into the season.
"So I didn't get the chance to go out and show myself. I was disappointed I didn't reach my goals. But that's what happens sometimes.
"I was so devastated that I couldn't go out and show what I could do in my first year – and then there was this wait of seven months to go out and train with those lads again.
"The lads helped me through it. But it was really hard mentally particularly as it came when I was adjusting to the club and starting to learn things and getting used to things.
"At the start, it was hard to keep smiling but I kept on thinking about the positive things in life – that I had made it this far and played some games in the Premier League and that that I had a chance to come back and play again.
"That was my main focus – what will make me happy in the future. Now, hopefully, I can get back to my old self, start again and get even better.
"I want to defend with my heart and be solid, powerful and aggressive. I'm really positive about this year. I'm really looking forward to the season."
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