Stoke City's Michael Kightly Can Revitalise His Career After Injury Nightmare

Michael Kightly wasn't the first talented young player to be linked with a move to Manchester United, but when Sir Alex Ferguson was rumored to be interested in the winger back in 2006, it stood out more than most.

That's because after a difficult start in football, Kightly was a 20-year-old making his name in English non-league football with Essex's Grays Athletic.

The club for a short time were glamorously referred to as "the Chelsea of non-league" and almost achieved promotion to the Football League during a successful tenure under manager Mark Stimson, before these efforts precipitated a gradual, eviscerating decline for the club.

United did not come calling (though rumors lingered for some time), instead Kightly was rewarded with a move to Wolverhampton Wanderers following a loan spell at the club at the end of that year.

Kightly excelled for Mick McCarthy's side, and though injuries cost him much of his first full season at Molineux, he returned to play a major role in their Championship title winning season in 2008/09.

Having already won his first caps for the England Under-21s, the campaign saw Kightly reignite the hype that had followed his initial arrival in the Midlands, grabbing eight goals and setting up a remarkable 19 more.

Stoke City's decision to purchase Kightly, now 26, speaks volumes about a talent that many in the game still believe in despite the injuries that robbed Wolves of his presence for the majority of their three-year Premier League stay.

Indeed it says a great deal about the player's own confidence that he has accepted the challenge of proving himself in the top-flight, as it would have been easy enough to remain at Wolves and return to a Championship level he already knows himself to be comfortable at.

Instead, Kightly has chosen one of the most intriguing, burgeoning projects in the Premier League, as Stoke continue to evolve in this, their fifth season back in the division.

Tony Pulis' side have not completely distanced themselves from the direct style that proved crucial in establishing themselves but cost them admirers for what was viewed to be ugly football.

But they have continued to refine it with more outwardly appealing traits, a luxury granted to them by their increasing quality and comfort in the Premier League with each passing season.

Two of the players most important in that evolution have been Matthew Etherington and Jermaine Pennant, individuals previously struggling career-wise who have responded to the faith placed in their abilities by the Potters with numerous exciting displays on the wing that have enhanced the team's creativity.

That being said, 2011/12 was not as fruitful for the duo (though still pretty good), and it's that being considered that has led to the acquisition of Kightly, to compete and challenge in the hope that it will be for the bettering of the team.

After his injury nightmare with Wolves, Kightly has followed his good form from the end of last season with three starts in three games so far for his new club.

That included a goal in his debut away at Reading in the first game of the season, albeit one aided by a misjudgement from its goalkeeper Adam Federici.

Kightly will be relatively happy with his own displays, typically composed and adventurous in his attempts to contribute in the opposition half.

City remain undefeated, though without a win, and both they and Kightly will be keen to push on from here this season.

That is easier said than done, and Kightly will soon be given the kind of tests he was robbed of these past three years with Wolves, as Stoke take on Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and then Manchester United in four of their next five games.

Fellow new arrivals Charlie Adam and Michael Owen will be the focus of many people's observation in this challenging run of fixtures, but in Kightly, Stoke have a player who may prove just as rewarding for the club as these big name signings.