Dodoo Thrilled By Academy Presence

- Dodoo scored a hat-trick on his professional debut for Leicester City during the Capital One Cup Second Round victory at Gigg Lane 

Leicester City forward Joe Dodoo says watching Academy graduates play for the first team inspired him to work hard towards his debut for the Club. 

The tricky winger netted a sensational hat-trick in his first appearance for the Foxes in their 4-1 Capital One Cup Second Round victory over Bury at Gigg Lane on Tuesday evening. 

Also included in the starting XI was Academy graduates Liam Moore and Jeffrey Schlupp, and the latter, who also scored a treble on his full debut for the Club in the same competition in 2011, unselfishly set up Dodoo for his third goal. 

Youngsters Harry Panayiotou, Ben Chilwell and Andre Olukanmi were all also unused substitutes in the victory, giving the Club’s Academy a healthy representation in a professional fixture. 

Dodoo said: “It’s amazing because they’ve been given their chance and to watch them take it motivates you to work even harder to try and achieve what they’ve achieved. Watching them play for the first team has really inspired me. 

“We’ve never had that many Academy youngsters on the bench, let alone me starting the game, so we’re all very thankful to the manager for giving us the chance to express ourselves.” 

Dodoo also went on to explain how Claudio Ranieri played a pivotal role in motivating him and his fellow team-mates when the Italian first joined the Club last month. 

Dodoo added: “For the chance to come, I didn’t expect it. I’m very fortunate that it’s happened. Nothing is better than being at the Club for that long and getting the chance. 

“When the manager first came in he said that 'if you’re good enough and you’re ready, I’ll give you an opportunity.' He really motivated every youngster in the Academy to try and impress.”