Tahith Chong thanked our medical department and the traveling Hatters fans for their support after making his comeback in the 1-0 win at Hull on Saturday.
The former Manchester United and Birmingham midfielder played the second half at right wing-back after replacing fellow returnee Reece Burke at half-time at the MKM Stadium.
It was his first appearance since the defeat at QPR in early January – and the first time he has been available for Matt Bloomfield to select in his tenure as manager.
Speaking to LTFC+ after the game, our Curaçao-born attacker said: “I think when you’re injured, you miss everything – you miss playing the games, you miss being with the boys, so it’s been good (to be back out there).
“I’ve got to give the club and the physios compliments in terms of how they dealt with the injury, and the physios doing a great job in getting me back on the pitch.”
On the near sell-out away end, who made the 360-mile round trip for a 12.30pm kick-off live on TV, he added: “If you think about the full season really, they’ve been backing us regardless of results, and that’s a big, big plus, and a massive thank you to them as well.
“We know it’s been a tough season, but for them to keep supporting us like that, we appreciate it so much and hopefully long may that continue.”
On the game itself, Chong believes that the luck the Town had in the manner of the winning goal was something that was earned by their graft, spirit and determination.
“We know coming here, it’s going to be a battle and I felt we battled very well in phases of the game,” he said. “To get the goal, how we got it – I felt we deserved a goal from the first half, Eli is unlucky hitting the post, and Carlton is unlucky as well.
“So we felt we had the chances to score, but to get it in that way came from the hard work. We deserved it.”
On that slice of fortune indicating that momentum is shifting in our direction, he went on: “Yes, one hundred per cent, but for us as players, you can’t be too soaked up about it. You’ve got to keep working and the gaffer touched on it as well – the football gods will take care of that, as long as you keep working hard, fortunes will come.”
Despite the feeling of elation in the dressing room at full-time, the hard work will continue, leading into Saturday’s home date with title-chasing Leeds.
“Everyone was kind of excited, but also knowing that ‘Let’s go and back it up again’,” he said. “We know we’ve got seven finals really to go and play, so everyone is excited, but also focus is back on Monday, to get the work in and prepare for the weekend again.”
