Luton defender Paul Underwood is hoping to end his extremely protracted injury hell with a return to first-team action before Christmas.The 34-year-old has not pulled on a Hatters shirt since April 2006 after a blood-related illness, and his latest setback saw him undergo an operation to clean out his right knee in April.

But he is now hoping to return before the turn of the year and told the Dunstable Gazette: "The surgeon says there won't be any problems.

"It's been hard mentally. I've just been putting myself back into the gym the last two weeks.

"I just don't like losing or getting defeated at anything and that's what's kept me going. I just don't like giving in.

"I could have given in at the first hurdle but I don't want to because I've still got a lot to give in football."

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