article: Media playback is not supported on this device The imposing centre-back did not make his top-flight debut until he was 30, but is now captaining the Premier League leaders in one of the most incredible seasons the Premier League has ever seen. Just over 18 months on from finally making it into England's top division, Morgan talks to BBC East Midlands Today about title dreams, his mum's burgeoning pride and how his journey was nearly over almost as soon as it started. Morgan was released by Notts County as a youngster in 1999 but after a couple of years playing non-league football, he was given a second chance across the River Trent. But the journey was still far from smooth. John Pemberton, then Forest's academy director, remembered having to keep Morgan away from manager Paul Hart when he first joined because he simply wasn't fit enough. "His socks didn't go up to his knees because his calves were too big, his legs rubbed together and his shirt was skin tight. He was well overweight," Pemberton said. "Paul saw him in the car park and said: 'Who's that lad?' We said he was a trialist and Paul said: 'We don't want any trialists looking like that'. So we hid from the manager - and we actually hid him for about eight months." Morgan said: "Getting released wasn't nice. It was hard to take. But I remained positive and I got a trial at Forest and that was an opportunity to get back into it and that's where it all started." Despite an inauspicious beginning, Morgan is quick to thank Hart for the big part he played in getting his career up and running. After heeding the timely fitness advice, Morgan made his debut as a 19-year-old in August 2003 and soon became a first-team regular. "I came on trial and did well and was kept on for the season," Morgan said. "I wasn't in the best shape possible and had to work hard. There was a lot of conditioning work to get to the point where I needed to be. "You have to be at a certain fitness level and I needed to put in the work to get to that point. "I have nothing but good things to say about Paul Hart. He gave me my first professional contract and my debut. It all began with him." Hart told BBC Sport: "When I first saw him he was quite big and I said I am not putting him in our kit until that changes. "But he worked extremely hard. You always saw a good footballer; he always had the basics. I gave him his debut at left-back and he was excellent. "Wesley was very aware of his strengths and weaknesses, and when you have that you have a great chance." Morgan's move across the East Midlands after 10 years with Forest came as a shock in 2012, but Leicester manager Nigel Pearson was desperate for a dominant centre-back who was both a reliable leader and a steadying influence. He was convinced he
summary: Leicester City defender Wes Morgan's rise has been just as remarkable as that of the team he leads.