Sonny Bradley feared his season was over on at least three separate occasions, but the defender is fighting fit and hoping to contribute to the Hatters’ promotion push.
Starting this evening against Huddersfield Town in the first leg of the play-off semi-final, the Luton captain will lead the players onto the pitch for the first of two huge games in a matter of days.
But that is a thought he didn’t think would become reality, especially after a torrid time with covid and injuries throughout the campaign.
“I don’t like to speak too much as an individual, I like to talk about the team, but as an individual, it's been a difficult season and on at least three separate occasions I’ve been told that is the end of my season and I need to stop. But for me that was in one ear and out the other as it's such a special season and I want to be part of it.
“I’ve done my best to get as fit as I can, the manager said after the game, we can’t get any fitter now, which is probably true, but I’ve just got to take it for what it is and throw everything at it.
“After the Blackpool game, I thought I might be done because of my ankle, but we’ve got a tremendous physio department in Si (Simon Parsell) and Chris (Phillips) and Darren (Cook), who work with us every day, they are very, very professional in what they do and they’ve got boys back out there a lot quicker than what we should have been, so we have got to thank them a lot.
"It has been a bit of whirlwind with that red card against Forest, everything seems to be going again me, but what matters is that right now, I’m in a really strong position, physically I feel really good, and that’s come at a really good time in the season, so I’ve certainly got two, if not three games, left.
Elaborating more on his injury woes, Bradley admitted: “The doctor said to me, ‘I understand how important your role is at the football club, but you’ve just had two major surgeries in eight days, so it’s important that you recover well and do it right’.
“I’ve done everything right. I’ve worked alongside the club doctor and the club physios. They’ve made sure that I’m not at any risk, so I’ve followed protocol in that regard.
“But they more or less said to me, ‘your season should be done’. But it’s a massively important season, not only for myself, but for the football club as well.
“I’m back to full fitness now. Luckily, I’ve got a smile on my face and I’m ready to go tomorrow night.”
Set to experience the play-offs for the first time, the 30-year-old knows that not only the squad but Kenilworth Road will play a big part in their hopes.
“I think we’ve got a really good mix of experience. There are a few boys I believe are probably in their primes and some of the younger boys as well who have got good legs and good energy which will be needed as well.
“For me personally, it is my first encounter with the play-offs so it is slightly new for me but any time this football club has been involved in big games, we’ve always done well. I think for the football club certainly in recent history, this is probably the biggest game we’ve had for a fair few years. I’m hoping on the night we can keep our composure, step up and put in a really good performances.”