Fast Track

It was the match that arguably signalled the arrival of Kagisho Dikgacoi as a fully fledged First Team player.

At the Reebok Stadium in early February Dikgacoi dominated the midfield battle against Bolton Wanderers before Fulham’s winter injury curse struck again as the South African hobbled off the pitch with a knee injury just before the hour mark.

Despite the injury setback Fulham’s supporters could not help but be enthused by Dikgacoi's performance; a player whose game seems perfectly suited to the high octane pace of the Barclays Premier League.

When fulhamfc.com caught up with KG this week, he was evidently focused on the positives as he discussed a possible return from injury in the next few weeks.

“At least the injury came well before the World Cup,” said Dikgacoi. "From my point of view I was really enjoying the game against Bolton and I was unlucky to get injured just ten minutes into the second half. It was really unfortunate.

“Right now I’m just looking forward to being back in the starting eleven and I’m pushing myself hard to get back as quick as possible. I’m hoping that I’ll be starting to train again in two weeks time. The Club's Medical team have also been working really hard on the injury."

Dikgacoi has seemingly made a smooth transition from the Golden Arrows to Fulham and his progress is certainly being monitored by his family and friends back home, who were justifiably concerned by his recent injury ahead of this summer’s World Cup Finals in South Africa.

"I’m happy with what I’ve been doing and I think tactically I’ve improved, as have my reactions and speed. I think I’ve improved most areas of my game and I’m looking forward to progressing further but it’s up to me to continue working hard.

"My mum and my friends call me after the games if they’ve been watching them. They watch a lot of Premier League games back home. Most of them called after the Bolton game to check the injury wasn’t serious and that it wouldn’t affect me for the World Cup.

“I’m really looking forward to the World Cup, especially as we’re the hosts. The World Cup is obviously very important to me but it’s also important that I play games before then.”

Dikgacoi could be in line for a memorable few months on the domestic and international stage if results go Fulham’s way over the next few weeks. The chance of being involved in the later stages of the UEFA Europa League and FA Cup are the stuff dreams are made of and Dikgacoi makes no secret of his desire to experience such moments.

“Of course I’ve thought about playing at Wembley,” said Dikgacoi. “Everyone loves to play in the FA Cup and it would be very special for Fulham to get to Wembley. Not only in the FA Cup but if we can get past Shakhtar Donetsk and into the last 16 of the Europa League I’d be so happy.

“Juventus and Ajax were teams that I used to follow, especially when Steven Pienaar was playing for Ajax - so I would love to play against them.”

For the moment Dikgacoi’s primary concern is his rehabilitation from injury but it is a tremendous fillip for the Club to have potentially unearthed another jewel who has clearly settled into life at Fulham with ease.

“I’m enjoying it in England and most of the things are actually the same as back home. We drive on the same side of the road and the signs are all the same so there aren’t that many differences and I keep in touch with the other South African players who are playing in the Premier League."