Lockyer reveals not playing for Luton after Charlton switch has been the 'toughest' time of his career

Luton defender Tom Lockyer has revealed that his short spell at Kenilworth Road has been the hardest of his professional career to date.

The 26-year-old was a first team regular at both of his previous clubs, with over 250 appearances during four years at Bristol Rovers and then playing the majority of Charlton Athletic’s games last term, before opting to move to Town in the summer.

Since joining the Hatters, Lockyer has been restricted to eight league outings, more often than not on the bench, with just six league starts.

After making back-to-back starts against Norwich City and Swansea City, he retained his place in the 0-0 draw at Coventry on Tuesday night as it looks like the Wales international will finally get his chance to stake a claim for a regular berth.

Speaking honestly about his time with the club before the midweek stalemate, Lockyer said: “Personally it’s been probably the toughest period of my career.

"Since I joined, it’s the first time I’ve really not been playing any football, playing any games, and I didn’t really know how to cope with it as I’ve never really had it before.

“So it’s been really tough for me, I had a taste of it and then came back out, and that’s two games now.

“I’m not going to get carried away, I want to play football, that’s what I came here to do, but that’s up to the gaffer.”

Boss Nathan Jones revealed that his summer signing earned his chance after ‘training like an animal’ behind the scenes.

On just how he coped with the unusual situation of not being involved, Lockyer continued: “I’ve spoken to my old managers, they’ve said, ‘be patient, train hard, ask the right questions, do the right things.’

“That’s my character anyway, I’m not going to throw the towel in and sulk as I’m not playing.

“I’m going to work harder in training, I’m going to stay behind after and do the extras, so when my chance does come, I’ll try and take it with both hands, but it has been tough I’m not going to lie, it’s one of those things, that’s football for you.”

“I’m not standing here saying I should be playing, as the squad is strong in numbers and the quality throughout the boys was one of the first things I noticed when I came in.

“The strength in depth is absolute huge and you see people like Andrew Shinnie leaving the building (to join Charlton), with the quality that he has and you think, ‘wow, there must be some good strength in numbers if players like him are going out the door.’

"So I would say that was massive, Pottsy (Dan Potts) came back and I thought he was brilliant (against Swansea).

"He’s not even been training too long with us, so to get 90 minutes out of him is credit to him, and I thought he did really well as well.”

With Town finishing last season in real form, Jones admitted he stuck with his tried and tested players at the beginning of the current campaign, which Lockyer had no issue with, saying: “I don’t blame him, the gaffer’s a legend at this club, he’s got them promotions and it’s only right that the boys who were here with him, have his trust.

“I wouldn’t see it any other way to be honest, it was the same when we were at Bristol Rovers and we had two promotions on the spin.

“Obviously I’d love to be one of them with his trust.

"I’ll be doing everything I can to try and be one of those in the future, but I’m not standing here expecting to play, I’m taking each game as it comes.

“There’s strength in depth is really good at this club, it doesn’t matter if I’m playing or not, whoever’s in that position, will be doing all they can for the team.”

When asked about Lockyer's starring performance in the defeat at Swansea on Saturday, Jones added: "He was brilliant and we’re really pleased with him.

"He's had to bide his time and now with Matty’s (Pearson) suspension, he gets a chance, but you've got to be ready for your chance.

"If you don't train like he does week in week out then when he comes in here, you end up being poor or not as productive, but he was excellent."