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Ebbsfleet United loanee Reise Allassani bouncing back after injury

00:00, 04 October 2018

Reise Allassani is ready to show his class with Ebbsfleet United after joining on loan from Coventry City.

The 22-year-old started his three-month Fleet stay with a sparkling display in the 3-1 win at Dagenham last weekend.

Allassani was tipped for great things as he came through the Crystal Palace academy and represented England at under-17 level.

Ebbsfleet's loan signing Reise Allassani in action for Coventry City
Ebbsfleet's loan signing Reise Allassani in action for Coventry City

Released by Palace in 2016, the forward was set to sign for Sheffield Wednesday but a serious knee injury stopped him in his tracks.

Allassani was out for a year and ended up joining Dulwich Hamlet after unsuccessful trials with Football League clubs.

He scored 17 goals in 31 league appearances as Dulwich won promotion to National League South, earning himself a move into League 1 with the Sky Blues.

Now Fleet have given Allassani the chance to play regular men's football at the highest level in his career and he's determined to make the most of it.

He said: "It was really up and down at Palace. A lot was expected of me and it didn't maybe go the way it was planned but that's football.

"I'm bouncing back now and trying to show everyone what I'm capable of.

"The fact I didn't have a club (when I was injured) helped me out mentally.

"I was able to think about the past couple of years, to evaluate what went well and what didn't.

"I didn't watch any football in that whole year I was out. I just focused on my rehab.

"I went on trial at five League clubs but nothing came of any of them. Non-league was the last resort.

Reise Allassani challenges Dagenham's Alex McQueen Picture: Jimmy Griffiths
Reise Allassani challenges Dagenham's Alex McQueen Picture: Jimmy Griffiths

"I knew Dulwich had sold on quite a few players before me so I thought it'd be a good fit.

"If I didn't do well there, everyone would have said that's my level.

"But any move for me now is a risk. Until last season, I hadn't played any men's football so every move now is massive for me.

"I come to Ebbsfleet having played men's football so I can adapt to it much easier.

"I played 33 games in the end and I'd never played that many games before. My body's used to it now and I feel ready."

It was Allassani who asked to go on loan after finding his first-team opportunities at Coventry limited.

He said: "I saw Ebbsfleet did really well in the league last season.

"I spoke to the manager, liked what his plans were and thought it would a good move.

"I hope to score a lot of goals and play a big part in getting Ebbsfleet in a higher position than when I came in.

"I'm really looking forward to my home debut on Saturday. The away fans were great at Dagenham so I can only imagine it'll be 100 times better at home."

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