Nigeria international
goalkeeper Carl Ikeme has admitted he was disappointed to lose his place as the first-choice goalkeeper at Wolves in the beginning of the season.
He said no footballer loves sitting on the sidelines while action is on but remained focused as a professional and supported Emiliano Martinez, who is on loan from Arsenal and who was preferred to him.
”I’m hanging in there aren’t I?” he says with a smile.
”It is a part of football at times that you have to fight for your place.
”Obviously I was disappointed when I was dropped at the start of the season.
”But I always try to stay professional and do my best in training and on the pitch.
”If anyone was to say anything about me I’d like to think they would say I was a professional person around the club.
”Obviously I wasn’t happy but I didn’t sulk – you have to move on and stay professional for when your chance comes again.”
He also spoke on his late international chance with Nigeria.
”And out of all the times I have been waiting for Nigeria the opportunity came when I was out of the Wolves team,” he told his club’s website.
”It has been a great experience which I have enjoyed.
”There is no feeling like representing your country knowing you are making your family proud and trying to make a nation proud as well.
”Nigeria is such a big country and they are football fanatics.
”When you win it gives you so much satisfaction.
”It came at a good time for me when I wasn’t playing for Wolves and gave me a focus to keep going and some targets to keep to.
”I have played with some top players and against some top players and it helps you realise you can play at that level.”