Leicester City star James Maddison thrilled with 'second debut' for England

Maddison made his international debut three and a half years ago. He earned his second Three Lions cap in the 2-0 win against Ukraine on Sunday.

Leicester City forward created five chances against Ukraine, which is the most of any player in their first game for England since 2008.

"It felt great. I said in there it almost felt like a second debut. Like it doesn't really work. But it's been that long,"

he told reporters.

"It feels a lifetime ago, since that Montenegro game. So it almost felt like a second debut; it felt really good out there.

"It's so refreshing to be out there with the lads in a strong team and a big game. I really enjoyed it."

Maddison was in England’s squad for the 2022 World Cup, but he suffered an injury ahead of the tournament and did not play for his country in Qatar.

"I felt there were a lot of lows, and there's a lot of sad, sad faces when I was in my room by myself,"

he explained.

"I was just thinking 'why now this little injury. Why? Why in the West Ham game did I get that just before the World Cup', after I've worked so hard to get to the position where it felt everyone was clamouring for me to be in the squad.

"And I've worked so hard and my performances were really good. And so there were tough times in the room in Qatar, FaceTiming home, just sad, but it was almost like a battle with myself to say, 'don't take this for granted'.

"I might not be able to shake this injury off, but it will leave me in good stead if I show Gareth, and show the people who are questioning my personality off the fields that or whatever that is, that's all rubbish and that I can be a good person.

"We have such a good group and I get on so well with the lads and the staff, and it's what you see from the outside is exactly how it is.

"The togetherness and the fun nature of the energy around the camp. I hoped stuff like that would leave me in good stead."

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