James: The Motivation Is There

The 21-year-old recruit from Manchester United ended the season strongly for The Foxes, scoring a crucial goal in the 3-2 final day victory over Nottingham Forest at The City Ground to help book City a spot in the play-offs.

Promotion to the top-flight for the first time since the 2003/04 season eventually eluded City however, with an agonising defeat to Watford in the play-off semi-final, but James revealed that a few motivational words from his manager in the days that followed soon had him focused on the new season again.

“I think the motivation is there,” James told . “Every single player wants to get into the Premier League, we want to improve, aim high and I think there’s an added incentive now with the way that it did end for us last season.

“Fingers crossed that we can be there or there abouts next season and I’m really looking forward to it.

“Everyone was devastated with what happened at Watford, but we had the chat about it and we spoke about not dwelling on it, the importance of being mentally prepared for next season, and we are looking forward to it now.

“There’s Saturday and Tuesday games, then cup games and certain periods over a short space of time where there are a lot of games so every single player has got to be ready, starting XI and substitutes.

“It’d be massive to get to the Premier League with Leicester. Last year we came very close and the way we went out was devastating because getting promoted would have been fantastic for the Club and the fans.

“Like every player, that’s the level I want to be playing at and I will be giving it absolutely everything to achieve that dream with Leicester next season, I can’t wait.”

For now though, James is enjoying a well-earned break after a long season, and he will be linking up with David Nugent in Dubai before brushing up on his golfing skills ahead of the return to pre-season on 1 July.

“We’re staying in the same hotel in Dubai, me and Nuge, so it should be good,” said James.

“I’m going with my girlfriend and it just so happens that Nuge is going to the same place, so I’m sure we’ll have a chat and a little catch up and it will be really good.

“This summer I’ve just been chilling out really as well as doing the odd bit of fitness work to stay in shape for the new season, but mainly I’ve been trying to spend as much time as I can with my family.

“I’ve been trying to get into a little bit of golf this summer too, so I’ve been doing that with a couple of friends and my brother. I’ve not got a handicap yet as I’ve been told it’s impossible to get a handicap when you play like me! I’ve been going around in 30 or 40 over par, and that’s over nine holes, but I did improve on my last round quite dramatically, so it’s not too bad now.”

There’s still plenty of work to be done over the summer to get their fitness levels right for the new season though, insisted James.

He added: “We’ve all got requirements for what we need to do in the summer, with individual programmes. A lot of it is to rest, but there are things we need to do in the off season such as runs and weights, eating the right food, keeping hydrated and we have to meet those targets.”