In the 2007/08 season Ed Asafu-Adjaye was seemingly on his way out of Kenilworth Road.

Farmed out on-loan by the then manager Kevin Blackwell to Salisbury City it looked as though the young defender was destined to leave the Hatters.

Fast forward 12 months and Hammersmith-born Ed is a key component to the Town side of today - appearing 24 times in a number of positions along Mick Harford's defence this season including at centre-half in the 3-2 win at Wembley in April.

Both player and manager believe the manager's decision to recall the 20-year-old from his stay at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium has reignited his career with the Hatters.

"Ed should have been in the team here," Harford said. "We got him back, put him in and he showed what a fantastic attitude he had.

"Going to Salisbury turned him into a better player."

And after earning rave-reviews in during his time in Wiltshire, Ed believes the move not only did him the world of good but made him the player he is today.

"I enjoyed it there," he said. "I wasn't getting a game [at Luton] at the time and I wasn't happy at the time.

"I wasn't in the manager's plans and I wanted to prove myself by going out on-loan to get experience and games under my belt.

"The lads at Salisbury were very good and I started enjoying my football again.

"I came back here and it showed. I came back fitter and stronger and I think I came back a better player."

But his time with Salisbury has not only helped improve his game but now gives the Hatters a player with the experience to help the Town in their debut season in the Conference.

However, the defender believes if Hatters fans think they're going to be in for an easy ride they've got another thing coming.

"I think we'll be shocked," said Ed. "It's a good standard of football in that division.

"The Conference is a rough and attacking league. Not many teams hoof the ball - they try and get the ball down and play.

"Teams are quick and will look to attack you.

"Very few teams in the Blue Square aren't full time so it's changed a lot. Teams are much fitter than they were as they're playing football every day."

Having played right the way across the Hatters backline last season, and with many supporters wondering where his best position is, Ed is hoping to make his favoured right-back spot his own during the 2009/10 campaign.

"I often get asked what my best position is," he said. "I'm not too sure but that manager will know!

"I like centre-back and right-back but personally I love playing at right-back.

"Last season I've been needed in other positions but I want to further my career as a right-back. It's a position I've grown in to."

The defender has now made 31 appearances in Luton colours since making his debut in a 2-1 victory over Crewe Alexandra in March 2008 and is looking forward to continuing his career at Kenilworth Road.

He said: "I'm happy to be here and unless the club say otherwise I'll be staying."