BOTAKA KEEN TO MAKE HIS MARK

FREEVIEW: JORDAN BOTAKA PRE SHELBOURNE 12.7.16

United winger looking to impress as he sets sights on the new season...

Jordan Botaka is keen to make his mark in the Championship this season – and the Congolese winger admits he is desperate to get back onto the pitch after recovering from a bout of tonsillitis during United’s pre-season training camp in Ireland.

Botaka returned to light training on Sunday having found himself bed-bound with the illness for the majority of last week.

“It was very tough,” he explained. “I wasn’t feeling well and I had to miss five days of training. But I feel better now, so I’m happy.

“My body just didn’t want to work with what I had in mind. I had tonsillitis and I just couldn’t move.”

But the 23-year-old, who featured 14 times during his debut campaign in English football after joining from Dutch side Excelsior last September, has enjoyed his return to full training and is optimistic for the future under United’s new coaching team.

Reflecting on the pre-season tour so far, Botaka said: “It’s going well and I’m getting stronger every day. I hope I’m ready soon enough to play games.

“Mentally I’m very strong. I want to make a point and prove that I’m able to make a difference at this level.

“The way we’re working with the new gaffer, his staff and the new players is going well, so I have a very positive feeling.

“You just want to be back on the pitch again and have the chance to prove yourself and to show what you can do. The gaffer is offering me that, so I’m very happy.

“The coaches try to know every player individually – they’re really interested in every player and that’s something you don’t see often, because at many clubs you can see the interest is mainly with the players that play more often.

“Now you can see that they want to know everyone really well and they really want to work with everyone. That’s what has impressed me the most.”

Botaka has also welcomed the increased competition for places following the recent arrivals of fellow attack-minded players Hadi Sacko and Kemar Roofe.

“It’s very good – I think we needed it,” he said. “I’m happy with it because they’re good players and it wakes me up again to tell me that I need to step my game up. It won’t be easy, but it’s very good.

“When you’ve got new players, you want to get to know each other better during a game.

“These are the moments to get to know each other better and to prove to the gaffer what you’re capable of. I’m desperate to be on the pitch.”

PRE-SEASON: LUTV have joined the United squad on their pre-season tour of Ireland to bring you live commentary of both friendly fixtures, match highlights, exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes footage and much more from within the camp. Click here to subscribe now from just £1 per week!

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