Sam Parkin's 67 goals in 124 appearances for Swindon earned him a £750,000 move to Ipswich in June 1995 but two seasons of injury problems have restricted the 26-year-old to just 30 games and six goals. A broken ankle suffered in his first season at Portman Road ended his campaign prematurely and when Parkin eventually returned to full fitness he found himself out if favour with new manager Jim Magilton. In August 2006 he made the decision to try and revive his career at Luton but the optimism that comes with a fresh start didn't last long as a reoccurrence of his ankle problems forced him out from September onwards. In his absence, the Hatters were relegated but he is now looking forward to a fresh start under boss Kevin Blackwell and givemefootball's Mark Shail logged the thoughts of Parkin in the build up to the new season.
Q:IT'S PROBALY AN UNDERSTATEMENT TO SAY YOU'VE HAD A FRUSTRASTING COUPLE OF YEARS?
A:It's been an awful couple of years in all honesty. I didn't have any injuries until I signed for Ipswich but since then I have been dogged. Personally, I think it is just important now that I get back on track and start scoring again.
Q:IT MUST HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT WATCHING LUTON'S DEMISE FROM THE STANDS LAST SEASON?
A:It was horrendous, watching the team slide last season. We started so brightly and then things went against us – we had a lot of injuries and selling players didn't help. We just fell away and once we got on a bad run we couldn't seem to get ourselves out of it.
Q:YOU'RE NOW RETURNING TO A LEAGUE IN WHICH YOU HAVE SCORED A PROLIFIC NUMBER OF GOALS THOUGH?
A:It took me three years working hard at Swindon to get my move and now I have ended up back where I started. But I have still got another two years left on my contract here and there is still plenty of time left in my career to get back playing at a higher level. What I was capable of a couple of years ago I am sure I am capable of now, once I get a few games under by belt and my fitness back.
Q:THERE SEEM TO BE PLENTY OF CHANGES BEHIND THE SCENES AT LUTON RIGHT NOW?
A:I would imagine there will be a lot of changes with a lot of players going out and some new ones coming in. Hopefully we can challenge. We will wait to see what kind of squad we have but I'm sure we can be there or thereabouts.
Q:HAVE YOU HAD MUCH CONTACT WITH KEVIN BLACKWELL SINCE HIS ARRIVAL?
A:I've spoken to him but obviously he hasn't seen a great deal of me so it will be even more a case of starting from scratch with me at the start of pre-season. I have scored goals at that level before. I would prefer to be playing in the Championship but it would be nice to get a few goals and try to help Luton get back up there.
Q:I SUPPOSE YOU'LL BE RELIEVED JUST TO GET OUT THERE ON THE TRAINING FIELD AGAIN?
A:I am on the mend and just looking forward to getting back involved because it all feels a bit alien to me at the moment. But it will be nice just to be back out there on the pitch.
