Luton's Sam Parkin has told skysports.com of his determination to succeed.
Luton striker Sam Parkin has told skysports.com of his determination to succeed under Kevin Blackwell.After enduring a succession of injury setbacks, Parkin believes he is ready to fire The Hatters back into the Championship at the first time of asking.
"The gaffer hasn't seen a lot of me," Parkin told skysports.com.
"The rest of the lads had the opportunity to show what they could do at the back end of last season, whereas I'm starting from scratch so I need to prove my fitness and show that I'm in good form.
"We've only been back since last Thursday, but apart from the week's holiday I had I've been in all summer and I know that I have something to prove this season."
Parkin's reputation peaked after scoring 73 goals in three seasons for Swindon Town before securing a transfer to Ipswich Town in June 2005.
But things failed to click at Portman Road and injury restricted Parkin to just eight league appearances last term following a £340,000 summer transfer to Kenilworth Road.
"After my injury woes last year it's all fitness work at the moment," he explained.
"We're spending a lot of time in the gym, but first and foremost I'm looking forward to training with the lads, getting the balls out and perhaps getting among the goals in pre-season."
Regarding Luton's chances in League One following relegation last year, Parkin remains confident yet wary of what he sees as a fairly even division.
"You never know looking at the league - teams are always bringing players in and it is difficult to tell who'll be capable of what until about twelve games in," he commented.
"On paper we have one of the strongest squads in the division, but that counts for nothing.
"The manager has kept the majority of players and he has made some decent additions, so we'll be strong and our aim is to get back into the Championship as soon as possible."
