He may have been there and done it — won promotion to the Premier League that is — but Jonny Parr would prefer if the current campaign ended differently to that of two years ago with previous club Crystal Palace.

Versatile Parr was a regular in the Eagles’ line-up until picking up an ankle injury late in the regular season - coincidentally the result of a challenge by Blues loanee Richard Stearman in a 3-0 defeat at Portman Road - and had to settle for a role as a spectator as Ian Holloway’s team overcame a late stumble to finish fifth, five points adrift of third-placed Watford, who they then defeated in the Wembley play-off final.

Parr, 26, said: “Unfortunately I missed the last five games, as well as the play-offs, through injury. So, yes, I’ve been in a similar situation before and hopefully it can also end with promotion, but of course I would like to be involved all the way.

“With Palace we were pretty high in the table for a long time but then we only picked up eight points from the last 10 games and almost dropped out of it.

“We just managed to stay in the top six but then we managed to do really well in the play-offs and win promotion. It can be difficult as you get close to the end of the season.

“I think we’re just going to go straight up this season! That would make it a bit easier than it was at Palace. We could have a similar run in our last 10 games but who knows how it will work out? It doesn’t really matter where we are at the moment.

“I still felt a part of what Palace achieved because I had played virtually every game before I got injured. But all I’m saying is that if we end up going up through the play-offs this season I would love to play in them rather than being in the crowd.

“It just isn’t the same if you don’t play. It is special if you are playing at Wembley, of course. I was told by the other players that it was an amazing feeling and I think it probably is the best way to go up, the way you have everything riding on that one game. Then again, if you lose at Wembley it must be devastating.”

In his first season as a Town player Parr has clocked up 24 league appearances — 18 starts and a further six as a substitute — out of a possible 36 but isn’t convinced he has more left in the tank through not playing as regularly as some of his colleagues.

He explained: “Maybe it could give me a bit of extra energy but I honestly think I would be the same even if I had played every one of the games. One of my strengths is my fitness and I would have been alright.”

Meanwhile, Parr has confirmed he has not fallen out with Norwegian national boss Per-Mathias Hogmo and hopes to be included in the squad for the European Championship qualifier in Croatia on Thursday 26th March.

He said: “The squad is being picked next week and I’m really not sure if I will be selected. I’m just waiting to see but it’s definitely something I want to be a part of.

“There has been no fall-out with the manager. I’ve been a bit in and out since he took over but I’m just waiting for my chance.

“I’m not aware of him coming over to see me but he can watch the games on television. I’m available for selection and would love to be picked.”

Photo: Action Images

britrim added 08:43 - Mar 13 Jonny Parr, talks alot of sense and plays with alot of sense too. Could be our main man in the last 10 games.
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