Returning Barnes is excited about start of new season

LEICESTER City winger Harvey Barnes has revealed his excitement for the new season after making his return to action in the pre-season clash at Queens Park Rangers, writes Amie Wilson.

Barnes has returned from a knee injury that kept him out of the final months of the 2020/21 season and ruled him out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the Euros in the summer.

The winger did not feature in the first two pre-season games against Burton Albion and Wycombe Wanderers, but played the first half against QPR before being replaced by Marc Albrighton.

“Today for me was about enjoying it, getting the feel for being back in a game situation again,” academy graduate Barnes told LCFCTV after the 3-3 draw.

“No matter how much training you do nothing quite recreates being in a game.

“Getting the first one out of the way and getting a taste of it again, I’m really excited for the next few weeks now.”

The injury saw Barnes miss the final stages of both the successful FA Cup campaign and the battle to get into the Champions League positions, with City missing out for the second season running.

“It’s difficult watching sometimes, even though we did have some great moments and got the FA Cup,” said Barnes.

“But it feels like it’s been so long over the off season and pre-season now, you’re itching to get back into the games so to finally get back out there is a great feeling.”

On the game, Barnes said: “I think the first half it was a bit cagey, we weren’t quite at our best and then the second half it just came alive.

“In the end, it was a great game for watching, a great game for the lads to be involved in, and good to get our first few goals as well. It’s always important to get that confidence.”