Tottenham forward Clinton Njié promises to be 'like a new signing' upon full injury return

Tottenham Hotspur striker Clinton Njié expects his impact next season to be similar to that of a new signing after suffering an injury-ravaged first season at White Hart Lane. The Cameroon international has not made a single Premier League start this season following surgery to correct a knee ligament injury and has only recently returned to full fitness.

The 22-year-old was an unused substitute for the draw at Chelsea before making his first appearance for five months for the final 25 minutes of the 2-1 defeat to Southampton. Njié was expected to be a backup to leading scorer Harry Kane, however his season has been spent mainly on the sidelines amid an inauspicious start to his career in north London.

But in a major boost to Tottenham Njié says he is ready to kick-start his spell in the Premier League in earnest from the start of next season, when he expects to begin the campaign fully over his fitness troubles. In news which could yet alter the club's transfer plans, Njié promises he will be like a new signing when he becomes available to start games at the beginning of the new campaign.

"I'm very, very happy to come back to the pitch," he told the Tottenham website. "Of course, it's been a tough season for me from the start until now and I want to thank everybody – the staff, the doctors, the physiotherapists who have always been there for me, and I also want to thank all the fans for giving me such encouraging messages.

"Next season I think I'm going to be like a new signing to this team because I still have a lot to offer to our supporters and my team-mates. I just wish that next season I will be fitter so I can perform how I know I can and make everyone happy."

The news regarding Njié is the second major boost Tottenham have received in the wake of their Premier League title challenge fading following their draw at Chelsea – which handed Leicester City the title. Manager Mauricio Pochettino confirmed he will stay at the club until 2021 amid rumours regarding his future as Spurs plan ahead of the new campaign.