Hatters forward left feeling 'emotional' after long-awaited Luton return from knee injury
Town attacker returns to playing after eight months out
Luton striker Jacob Brown revealed it was an ‘emotional’ feeling to make his long-awaited return from injury during Saturday’s goalless draw against Rotherham United.
The last time the 27-year-old set foot on the pitch for the Hatters was back on March 15, that coming when Town were still in the Championship side and hosting Middlesbrough, as he was introduced for what was also another stalemate, before having to go off shortly afterwards after suffering a serious knee problem that had sidelined him ever since.
Although there were rumours of a move away from the club during the summer transfer window, Brown stayed put and having worked his way back into a position to make the squad, was named on the bench against the Millers at the weekend. Replacing Lamine Fanne for the final 12 minutes, the Scottish international, who also missed a large chunk of the Premier League campaign with another long-term knee injury, got a fine ovation from the supporters inside Kenilworth Road when he came on.
Discussing how much it meant to him to finally make his return, he said: “It was a really special feeling. With my previous injury and then this one it's been a difficult 18 months really, but when I stepped back on the pitch I felt quite emotional coming back on. I’ve worked very hard to get back to where I am now and it was a really special feeling. It’s just a massive thank you to the people who have helped me along the way, especially my missus.
“Early in the injury, I couldn't do anything, but she was very patient with me, she helped me out as I couldn’t really do much. Then a massive thank you to all the staff and the medical team. It’s not just me doing it, everyone’s helped me to get where I am, so I’m very grateful. Both seasons, when you’re out for so long, you can’t help and that's one of the harder things, but it’s part of the game. I’ve been unfortunate, but it’s made me who I am today. I’ve been working hard to get back fit so now that I am fit I just want to play as much as I can.”
Brown was introduced as part of a double change with Milli Alli and the pair almost combined for a winner when Alli’s low cross was met by the forward’s backheel, only to see it dribble through to keeper Cameron Dawson. On the opportunity, he continued: “I genuinely thought it was my moment. Obviously nil-nil, as a striker you feel like you’re going to come on and score the winner. I had a couple of chances, maybe in a couple of weeks when I’m a bit sharper I can get a goal there, but honestly just a great feeling to be back playing, that's the main thing for me right now.”
Although Brown had to watch on as Town failed to turn their dominance of the ball into anything meaningful for long periods of the contest against a Millers side who got the point that they set out to obtain from very early on, he felt that continuing their fine run of form under new boss Jack Wilshere, making it five unbeaten in all competitions, was the main bonus of the afternoon.
The forward, who went on to find the net with a close range header for Luton’s U21s during Tuesday night’s 5-1 Premier League Cup defeat to West Bromwich Albion U21s at Kenilworth Road, given the captain’s armband and getting an hour before making way, added: “It’s been tough so far, lots of ups and downs. Recently we’ve picked up good form since the gaffers come in and the vibe around the place is really good. We didn't get the win, but it’s another game unbeaten. Obviously Rotherham sat off and made it really difficult to get through them, but confidence is high.
"They defended really well. I know it’s difficult for the fans watching as we did have a lot of the ball, but it really is hard to break teams down when they’re all sat off. Obviously that was their gameplan, so there’s things for us to work on, but there's lots to take from it as well. Before this we'd won four games on the bounce, so it’s another game unbeaten. You know how quick things can change in the league, we've just got to focus on the next one and keep going.”