Mark Yeates has been contracted to Spurs since the age of 16. But the Irish winger will be no stranger to supporters of Colchester United after spending a year on loan at Layer Road and helping them to promotion last season. He is currently making the most of another loan spell, this time at Leicester City, where he will be hoping to help new interim boss Nigel Worthington get off to a flying start this weekend against his new manager's former club, Norwich City. Givemefootball's Ian Clarkson caught up with Yeates after a traumatic week at Leicester which saw Rob Kelly relieved of his managerial duties.
Q:HOW ARE YOU GETTING ON AT LEICESTER?
A:I'm enjoying my football and that's the most important thing. I'm at the stage of my career where I can't be playing reserve team football anymore. I must have played over 200 reserve games and I don't want to become known as a bit-part player. The main thing for me is first team football. Of course, if you are playing and doing the right things then, of course, you are going to enjoy your football. It makes you feel good about yourself. But time is still on my side and I must continue to work hard.
Q:SO, PLAYING A FEW GAMES WAS JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED, THEN?
A:I couldn't have asked for any more really. it has been brilliant at Leicester, despite our indifferent results of late. I would have to say that you would be hard pushed to find a better bunch of lads. We have a really good, young group of players here. I feel like I'm part of the squad and when you feel like that it gives you extra confidence. I just want to play as many games as I can between now and the end of the season, score some more goals and help put a smile on people's faces following a long, frustrating campaign.
Q:ARE THERE ANY COMPARISIONS TO BE MADE BETWEEN SPURS AND LEICESTER?
A:The club has been in the Premiership before. It is not a small club. It's massive - you only have to look at the facilities. The infrastructure is here and Mr. Mandaric has not hidden the fact that he wants to move the club forward. Spurs is a well-established club in the Premier League with a history and great facilities, but given what I've seen so far, there is no reason why Leicester cannot be a top side again.
Q:WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR FUTURE?
A:I'm not in a position to comment on my future yet. I'm loving it here, but I have a year left at Tottenham and I'm still their player. They have never made it clear that they want to sell me. Clive Allen, who is the development coach at the club, always keeps tabs on all the players who are out on loan and we've had quite a few chats since I arrived here. I've not hidden the fact I'm enjoying myself at Leicester and if an offer was put on the table at the end of the season, I'd have to think long and hard about it. Tottenham are a massive club with some quality players but I definitely want to be a regular somewhere next season.
Q:WHAT IS THERE TO DO FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON?
A:There can be no let-up. We still have some big matches coming against sides who are gunning for promotion but the new gaffer wants us to push on and finish the season with as many points as possible. The points are there to be taken. And I hope to leave a lasting impression on the fans after playing my part here.
