The central defender may have had an injury-ravaged couple of seasons, but Sutton United's Louis John is finally showing what he is capable of, says head coach Ian Baird.

The 21-year-old has been a bit part player in United’s charge up the National League South season, having been on loan at Met Police and Hemel Hempstead.

The former United reserve and youth star has also spent much of the past two years in the treatment room win a knee injury that has plagued him since his move to Gander Green Lane from Crawley was made permanent in 2014.

But now it is misfortune for other players that has opened the door, and when Simon Downer hobbled off during in the win over Gosport Borough last month, John re-entered the fray once again.

John has played in four of the five games since then, during which time United have conceded only two goals – something that is not lost on Baird.

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He said: “Louis has really been unlucky with injuries, if you think about it he pretty much missed the whole of last season – by any stretch that is tough.

“But he’s been out on loan this season and found his feet and now he has taken his opportunity.”

He added: “He’s 6’3”, very athletic and has all the attributes to do well and is really growing into a solid player.”

Despite his praise, Baird – in true Grim Reaper style – acknowledged that John, who scored his first goal of the season in the win at Wealdstone, has much to improve upon.

“It is all about having the knowledge of how to play his game,” he said.

“If you compare him with someone like Jamie [Collins] – Louis is quicker and perhaps fitter, but Jamie reads the game so well that he is at a much higher level.

“It will come with time and experience, but Louis has certainly shown in the past few games what he is capable of, and we’re seeing the results of the determination and hard work put in over the past two seasons.”