LEICESTER City winger Darren Eadie is hopeful of a return to the Foxes first team by Christmas as he continues his recovery from a long-term knee injury.

Eadie, who was raised in Corsham, has a crunch 12 months ahead as he bids to return to fitness and win a new contract with the club, who were relegated from the FA Barclaycard Premiership at the end of last season.

He was sidelined when a hefty challenge in a Premiership game against Charlton in April 2001 damaged the cartilage in his left knee.

Eadie's troublesome knee has been under constant scrutiny from club doctors and physio Dave Rennie ever since, but the 27-year-old can at last see light at the end of the tunnel and expects to be challenging for a place on the Leicester left flank by the turn of the year.

He said: "Everything is going to plan at the moment. I'll undergo keyhole surgery in September and, if I get clearance after that, then I should be back in training a month or so afterwards.

"I've always said I'd like to be back challenging for a first team place by Christmas and that is still the aim. If I'm not back until after then, then I'll be disappointed.

"It is the sort of injury that, if you come back too early, the site is too soft and will it go again straight away. I've had enough problems with it already to come back too soon and, if anything, will give it more time than it needs.

"There are plenty of players who come back from this sort of injury and, hopefully, I'll be one of them."

Eadie underwent an operation to realign the cartilage in his knee last October after breaking down during pre-season training.

That ruled him out of a dismal season for the Foxes, who finished at the foot of the Premiership and were relegated to the Nationwide League along with Derby County and Ipswich Town.

Leicester will play at the new Walkers Stadium and will be bossed by Micky Adams, with Dave Bassett moving to a director of football role.

Eadie, signed for £3.5million by Martin O'Neill in 1999, wants the chance to help Leicester win back their Premiership status at the first attempt. He said: "I'm not sure what improvement I could have made last season, but there can't be too many players who have been relegated without kicking a ball.

"There is a new manager, a superb new stadium and it is a new era for the club. A wholesale change will do the club good for the club as a whole.

"It will be very difficult to win promotion next season, but we have a lot of players who have played in the First Division before and that isn't always the case with clubs that are relegated from the Premiership.

"If you don't come back up in your first season it is difficult after that, as I found when I played for Norwich. Financially it is so important and we'll be having a good go this year."

He is also looking forward to playing under Adams, who joined the club as Bassett's assistant last season.

Said Eadie: "I had eight different managers at Norwich, so I'm used to change. It is difficult for Micky Adams and is a big season for him taking over at a bigger club. He has been good with me so far and tells me to take my time and be patient.

"When I play again I'll be out to prove myself to everyone, including myself. Being a footballer is one of the best jobs in the world and players are only really happy if they are playing.

"If I can come back around Christmas and we are pushing for a place in the Premiership, then it will be a dream come true."

Aside from a return to the Premiership, Eadie's other goal is to win a new contract at the Walkers Stadium. He is hoping to agree terms with new boss Adams when negotiations begin in the new season.

Said Eadie: "Hopefully I'll get something sorted out in the not too distant future. I would like to stay and repay the faith the club have had in me while I've been out. If not, I will be available on a free transfer and I would like to think a decent club would come in for me. I'm still only 27, so I've got a few years left.

"If Leicester City can't fit me in financially then obviously I'd move on. I'm confident I'm good enough to play in the Premiership and I'm confident I'll get back there."