Wolves defender George Elokobi returns to the scene of his worst footballing nightmare with plans to build a better future for many not so fortunate.

It was at Ipswich on 23 August 2008 that the powerful left-back’s career was left hanging in the balance and Elokobi returns to Portman Road for the first time since that day tomorrow.

Heading into the final few minutes of what is still arguably his best performance for Wolves, his studs caught innocuously in the turf as he turned and wrenched his leg, leaving him needing a reconstruction of his cruciate knee ligaments.

Elokobi damaged his knee in three different places and was given a 50-50 chance of playing again. A serious operation and eight-and-a-half months rehabilitation followed.

Thankfully, Elokobi made a full recovery, even playing the final minutes of the last Championship game against Doncaster in May 2009 in an emotional comeback so he could play a fuller part in the title celebrations.

As if it were needed, the injury was another reminder of how Elokobi takes nothing for granted in the privileged life of a Premier League footballer.

Because he gained plenty earlier this summer on a trip back home to Cameroon.

And the 25-year-old is to continue giving something back by setting up a foundation to raise money for the impoverished people of his homeland, where he spent the first decade and a half of his life.

Elokobi made his first visit back since he left almost 10 years ago, and it was poignant one in many ways, having lost his dad Martin to diabetes when he was 11.

He said: “I’m looking into starting my own foundation in my dad’s name.

“I need to get through pre-season and then when I have a bit of time sit down with my agency and come up with a strategy of how we’re doing to do it and get it up and running.

“I definitely want to carry on helping them. I’ve had to work very hard for what I’ve achieved. But it’s hard to take when you go back and see some of the conditions people are living in.

“I think we do sometimes take things for granted in the Western world. If I had any advice for anyone it would be not to take anything for granted – be it food, water or medication.

“People there are desperate for all these things and, if I can manage to get my foundation running, it would be great to raise as much money as possible to help them.”

Born in Mamfe, Elokobi lived in nearby Kumba, which is where he went back to and where his dad was a customs officer.

He said: “I’d been keen to go back to Cameroon for a long time but I was stopped by different circumstances.

“I had my bad injury and so that pre-season after I was stepping up my fitness work and checking all was OK.

“Then when I was fit again the following year I had the chance to go to the United States and see my sister and my nieces there.

“This year I had the chance to go and it was the right time for me. When I got there I was shocked with the welcome I got.

“The customs officer came to see me and asked if I was the one causing all the commotion at his airport! Apparently the fans waiting hadn’t stopped singing for about three hours.

“As soon I was in the airport I could hear all the singing, drums and vuvuzelas outside – it was unbelievable. To see how the people were welcoming me after being away for so long meant so much.

“I saw some family members who I hadn’t seen for 10 years, and friends who I hadn’t seen.

“Some of my friends and relatives had passed away in the last 10 years, so it was very emotional as well.”

To read our stories in full, log in to the premium 24 website.