Football: Leicester surpass own expectations

Simon Grayson yesterday looked ahead to Leicester's Coca-Cola Cup final appearance at Wembley following Tuesday's semi-final victory over Wimbledon and recalled how he thought his season was over just seven weeks ago.

The defender was the victim of a late tackle in the final minute of Leicester's fifth round win at Ipswich which left his leg sliced open and his ankle with serious ligament damage.

However, the injury was not as bad as he or Martin O'Neill, his manager, originally feared, and now Grayson feels more able to forgive and forget.

"At the time I really thought I wouldn't play again this season," said Grayson. "It was a really bad one and I feared the worst. I still can't believe he [Richard Naylor of Ipswich] wasn't sent off for it, but luckily it wasn't as serious as we all thought. In fact I was back after one game and I have thoroughly enjoyed everything since - everything except Chelsea, of course."

But while the hotly disputed penalty which knocked them out of the FA Cup has clearly worked as a motivator, the 27-year-old suggested that being written off before the season even started had been an even bigger factor in their success.

"I don't think anybody outside the club would have believed we could do as well as we have," Grayson said.

"When we went up to Sunderland for the first Premiership game we were picking up the papers and reading that everyone was saying we were certainties to go down.

"All that did was give us the determination and desire to prove everybody wrong - and that's what's happened. Of course we've done it by hard work and a good team spirit, but if we're honest we've probably surpassed what even we thought we could achieve. That's down to belief."

After their victory over Wimbledon at Selhurst Park on Tuesday night, which followed on from play-off success last May and what looks like Premiership survival, it seems hard to recall that the architect of the success was a hunted and haunted man less than a year ago.

Following a 2-0 home defeat by Sheffield United on 30 March, angry Leicester fans barricaded Filbert Street demanding action.

But instead of ignoring them, Grayson recalled how O'Neill accepted the challenge. "The fans weren't happy with the situation, and I think most managers would have just ignored it all," he said.

"But he invited them into to his office to talk things over and explain to them, and the attitude he showed there has carried us through to where we are now.

"Now we're just 90 minutes from Europe, and even the very thought of that is an amazing prospect, something we can barely imagine. It's going to be a great day out at Wembley and if it goes right it will go down as one hell of a season."

Meanwhile, Wimbledon's Robbie Earle is determined to bounce back from Tuesday's defeat and make amends by winning the FA Cup.

The Dons were on course to complete their double Wembley bid after Marcus Gayle's spectacular strike gave them a first-half lead against Leicester - until Grayson's equaliser sent Leicester through on the away-goal rule.

"We were desperately disappointed we did not achieve what we set out to do," Earle said. "It's no use worrying about it because we still have a lot to play for. I was very emotional because I knew we were so close but I consoled myself with the fact that we could put it right in the FA Cup."

Wimbledon are still heading for Europe on two fronts with a Uefa Cup place beckoning in the Premiership - or a place in next season's European Cup-Winners' Cup a possibility if they reach Wembley by beating Chelsea at Highbury in April's FA Cup semi-final.

"We hoped to face Chelsea in the cup final but will be well psyched up for the game. I think we have the advantage because we have a good record against them and beat them 4-2 earlier in the season. Last night's defeat will only spur us on. We know we are a good side and we refuse to let this season taper out."

Not only Europe, but England is also clearly on Earle's mind and he is eager to impress Glenn Hoddle, the national coach.

"I had a taste of international football on the standby side and it only made me want more," he said. "I am having the season of my life and desperately want to be involved. I know I'll get the job done."