Tom Cannon: Leicester City striker determined to repay Foxes after injury-hit start with club
- Published
Cannon's goal joy after injury-hit Foxes start
Striker Tom Cannon says he is determined to repay Leicester City for signing him when injured.
The 21-year-old's move from Everton in September was completed despite medical checks finding he had a stress fracture in his back.
It was three months before Cannon made his Foxes debut and not until January that he made his first start - which he marked with his first two goals.
"It was tough, and being transfer deadline day wasn't ideal," he said.
"It was unexpected joining a club like Leicester and then being told you will be out for two or three months."
It was during initial medical scans that doctors found a "shadow" that hinted at a potential issue.
Further tests confirmed the stress fracture, by which time Cannon's medical had been completed and he was on his way home unsure if the deal would be completed.
Leicester boss Enzo Maresca would go on to reveal in a later press conference that Cannon was injured, and that the club signed him as "a long-term" investment.
"I was driving back when I was told what it was, but luckily the club still went ahead with everything," Cannon told BBC East Midlands Today.
"I have big thanks to the owner and manager for sticking to the decision and I just want to repay them."
Returning to full fitness took more than three months, but even in his performances off the bench Cannon showed glimpses of why he has been compared to his new Leicester team-mate Jamie Vardy - a player he has previously said he aspires to emulate.
Scoring twice against Huddersfield Town in his first Leicester start on New Year's Day was quickly followed by another goal a week later in the FA Cup third-round win against Championship rivals Millwall.
"It's gone perfect to be honest," said Cannon of his three goals in two games since the turn of the year.
"After being out for so long, that first goal meant a lot with my first start to hit the ground running. As soon as I saw it hit the back of the net I was buzzing."