Town defender Christophe Berra is not thinking about what might have been as he prepares for the new season.

The 30-year-old Scottish international will be absent from the opening-day visit to Brentford as he serves a one-game ban after being dismissed in the second leg of the play-off semi-final against Norwich back in May.

It was Berra’s handball on the goal line and subsequent red card that proved the game’s pivotal moment with Wes Hoolahan converting from the spot and 10-man Town eventually going down 3-1 and 4-2 on aggregate following the 1-2 draw at Portman Road a week earlier.

Berra said: “I’m quite a laidback kind of person and there are always ups and downs in football. You have to put it behind you and move on.

“It wasn’t as if I had time to decide ‘I’m going to handball it’. It was just an instinctive thing — my leg was out, my arm was out and it was just one of those things.

“It’s part and parcel of football and if I wasn’t hard-skinned I wouldn’t be playing any professional sport.

“Some people don’t take disappointments very well and don’t bounce back but I’ve done it throughout my career. There’s another season on the way and it’s all to play for again.

“If I had done something really stupid, like punching or head-butting somebody, I’d have been really upset with myself. It was something I couldn’t stop — I’m a footballer and a defender — and it happened in a split second.

“That’s football for you. It’s about highs and lows, which is why we all want to play it and watch it.”

Photo: Action Images

DiamondGezzer added 06:28 - Jul 31 1 - 2 draw ?
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Benters added 07:13 - Jul 31 It was just one of those things anybody would have done, instinct innit stick your hand out to try and save the ball hiting the net. No cant blub about it now the time has gone,good luck for the new season .
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Len_Brennan added 07:23 - Jul 31 I wouldn't swap Christophe for any other centre half in the Championship. Really surprised (but glad) that there hasn't been a lot of speculation about him interesting Premiership teams. If I was Eddie Howe I'd be throwing £8m in pursuit of him far quicker than I would have with Tyrone Mings.
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Jimmy86 added 07:36 - Jul 31 Christophe if u'd have punched or headbutted someone from Nodge, u'd be even more a legend in our eyes haha. Jokes aside, he's best CB in championship
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tractorboy23 added 09:09 - Jul 31 I put Christophe alongside De Vos as one of the best readers of a football we have had! Solid, putS 100% into every game! Big season COYB
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MVBlue added 10:17 - Jul 31 Still need another centre back. Our defence is poor if hes not on the pitch. We need options Mick cheers.
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jas0999 added 11:09 - Aug 1 It happened. It's done. Time to move on.
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