New Hatters signing Ince has 'unfinished business' in the Premier League

New Luton signing Tom Ince believes he still has ‘unfinished business’ in the Premier League.

The 29-year-old, who signed for the Hatters on transfer deadline day last Monday, has played 48 times in the top flight of English football for Crystal Palace, Hull City and most recently Huddersfield Town, scoring three goals.

His last appearance came for the Terriers back on May 13, 2018 as he moved to Stoke City, spending the last two seasons in the Championship.

However, following his move to Luton, when asked if he still believes he can play in one of the best division’s in the world again, Ince said: “I think there’s unfinished business there.

“I feel like I never really had a fair crack at the whip.

“When I went to Palace I did ever so well in the first two games, scored on my debut and then after that it’s always difficult when you’re a forward-thinking player, a wide player and you lose a lot of games.

“The immediate thought is survival and you’re always the one that gets taken out of the team, whether that’s a change of formation, five at the back or a more defensive shape.

“I feel like when I was in the Premier League, with the teams that I’ve been at, I never really had that run of games or the consistency of being able to show what I can do."

Ince, who started his career with Liverpool, making one appearance for the Anfield giants, is in the final year of his contract at the Bet 365 Stadium.

He has no current plans for what could potentially be the 11th club of his career next season though, continuing: “I’m still at an age where I still feel good, I’m still in the prime of my career, so I’m here to just play football.

“All I can think about is the short-term, this week, next week and the week after, and just trying to play football, get myself back out there and come the summer, we’ll see what happens. “

“I’ll see what the options are and just go from there but right now, I can’t really focus on that.

“It’s just about taking it day by day and trying to help Luton Town to do the best they can this season.”

Ince had been a first team regular under Luton boss Nathan Jones during the manager’s time at Stoke.

However, a change at the helm, with former Northern Ireland chief Michael O’Neill taking over, has seen Ince start just four times when the season began again following lockdown in June 2020.

When asked if he had discussed his loan move away from the Potteries with the City chief, Ince said: “He just said it is about getting some game time.

“As far as I’m concerned, football is such a fickle game, all I can do is look after number one and to try and do my best for Luton Town and that is my primary focus.

“I can’t think about what happens three or four months down the line at the end of the season.

“All I have to do is take it week by week and continue gaining my fitness back because obviously I haven’t played for quite a few months.

“I’ve had two starts all season at Stoke and haven’t had the game time at Stoke that I obviously wanted for whatever reason.

“That is obviously down to Michael O’Neill but for me it is about regaining my fitness here and regaining the excitement to play football again.

“Training during the week knowing you have a chance at being involved on a Saturday and that is what I’m looking forward to, just being involved in that team spirit, team camaraderie.”