When you’ve had a few punches in the face you have to fight back, says Leicester star on brink of Premier League return

WOUT FAES swapped tears of despair for joy after Leicester edged towards the brink of the Premier League.

The Belgian defender was crestfallen when the Foxes’ relegation to the Championship was confirmed last May.

Wout Faes (left) and his Leicester team-mates react as relegation was confirmed

Faes in action in a thumping 5-0 win over Southampton at the King Power

RexFaes congratulates Tuesday’s hat-trick hero Abdul Fatawu[/caption]

Faes, 26, scored the second goal when Leicester beat West Ham 2-1 on the final day of the season – but Everton’s win at Bournemouth condemned the Foxes.

But Tuesday’s 5-0 thumping of Southampton means Faes & Co could be promoted as early as Friday without kicking a ball if Leeds lose at QPR.

But regardless Enzo Maresca’s men can do it themselves by either drawing at Preston on Monday if Leeds also draw in West London or simply win.

Faes said: “It was a huge win. You could see with the fans and players afterwards there was a lot of emotion.

“It’s normal because it hurts every player and person who was involved with Leicester City.

“So if we can get back straight away, we have the team for it. This club is ready for it. We belong in the Premier League. Hopefully we can achieve that as soon as possible.”

Faes admits he and his team-mates were feeling the mounting pressure after they tossed away a once SEVENTEEN-point cushion over third place.

The found themselves recently outside the top two altogether after six defeats in ten league games.

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But back-to-back home wins over West Brom and Southampton has them virtually racing towards the finish line with their arms held aloft.

And Faes said: “When you’ve had a few punches in the face you have to fight back and that is what the squad is doing.

“Of course, it was hard. I felt the pressure from other teams.

“It’s a relentless league. You can see everyone is struggling. We’ve struggled for a moment but it’s then about bouncing back. It’s about then keeping faith in what you do and believe in.

“There are of course voices in the dressing room – there is the gaffer and players. But you have to show it on the pitch.

“And that’s what we’ve done and produced a great performance against a very good side.”

Faes wants another crack at the Premier League as he believes there is unfinished business.

He said: “We all have. This is a good team, has a good manager and if we can add a few players too, it’ll be nice!”

Enzo Maresca was delighted with the performance on Tuesday against Southampton

The 13-cap defender hopes to be part of the Belgium squad going to Euro 2024 but has vowed he will allow himself to party at the end of the season regardless.

He said: “We have a few days and I’ll most definitely be celebrating!”