Hatters defender relieved his frustrating spell on the sidelines at Kenilworth Road is finally over

Luton full back Dan Potts was relieved to finally put a frustrating few months behind him when making his comeback for the Hatters this week.

The 26-year-old made an appearance from the bench during the final moments of last Wednesday night’s 3-1 win over Norwich City, his first outing in a Town shirt since July 14.

Potts was then back in from the start at Swansea City on Saturday and followed that up with another 90 minutes in midweek, helping to earn a clean sheet in the goalless draw with Coventry City.

After picking up a foot problem at the end of last season, the defender had hoped to be available for selection earlier, but a groin issue which required a minor procedure put paid to those hopes.

However, that was thankfully a success as he was fit enough to restart training last week and discussing his spell out, Potts said: “It’s been quite a long time on the sidelines and has been frustrating to say the least.

“It’s been a recurrence of an injury which required an operation, which without going into too much detail about it, didn't really work.

“So it was back to square one, but I tried to do as much as I could fitness wise to keep on top of what I can be doing.

“Then this past week and a half I’ve been able to join in with the group and been able to kick on, ready to be called upon whenever I’m needed.

“Rhys (Norrington-Davies) picked up an injury last Friday and I was straight in away at Swansea and tonight (Tuesday).

“I feel good, I've looked after myself, the physical department have looked after me, the medical team make sure we’re ready.

“Any sort of player who goes out, they work tirelessly, work together and I think that's instilled throughout the club now, right from the top to the bottom, we’re moving in the right direction.

“The manager’s said ‘are you ready?’ And I’m straight in.

“Two games in three days, but credit to the medical team and the fitness department as well, I’ve kept on top of everything and two 90 minutes in three days, I feel absolutely fine.”

In Potts’ absence he has seen on-loan Sheffield United defender Rhys Norrington-Davies take the left back berth and put in some impressive displays, so much so that he earned a maiden call-up to the Welsh senior squad, winning three caps, and earning a new long-term contract with his parent club too.

The former West Ham full back has been left hugely impressed by what he has seen from the sidelines, as he continued: “Rhys has been different class.

“I think all the lads that have come in have really added to the squad, there’s real competition there.

“It is what it needed, as you look at the schedule, it’s a game every three days.

“The demands physically and mentally are through the roof and it’s hard for any one player to play every 46 games and that’s showing.

“As long as we’ve got that competition in the squad, then you know when you’re on the pitch that you've got to be performing at your maximum and that's all we can do.”

With Town in the middle of a crazy schedule before the turn of the year, they are back in action this weekend again, hosting Preston North End, their seventh game in the last 22 days.

Potts will be ready if called up on though, as he said: “100 per cent, I feel fine.

“It’s the job, it’s what it’s about, I wouldn't want it any other way, put it that way.”

If the ex-England youth international is selected, then he will run out at a Kenilworth Road with 2,000 supporters watching on, as Town are allowed to up their attendance from the game against Norwich.

Potts added: “It was refreshing against Norwich, I think there was only 1,000 there, but we might get 2,000 this time, which will make a difference.

“It will feel more like a home game, the onus on us will then be to really put the pressure on Preston and we’ll be looking to pick up three points.”