Shaw: It's been a huge mental challenge - but I feel as good as ever and I can't wait to be back

Signed from Fleetwood Town at the start of last year’s January transfer window, the 25-year-old quickly became a key member of Kevin Nolan’s resurgent Cobblers, only to endure the misfortune of a dreaded ACL injury two months later.

Nine months of rehab and gym work followed and he was on the verge of returning shortly before Christmas when he suffered a ‘freak’ setback, effectively ruling him out for the whole season.

One serious knee injury is unlucky, two in the space of nine months is just cruel.

“Mentally, it’s been very tough,” admitted Shaw. "The first injury with the ACL wasn't actually too bad once I got my head around it. I had obviously signed a two and a half year deal with the club so I knew that side of it was sorted and I just knuckled down, but after two or three weeks back on the grass, I picked up my second injury.

"That was a lot tougher mentally because I felt so close and I felt really good. The doctor said it was a bit of a freak thing but I had to have another surgery. It was difficult but I’m back on the grass again and I’m doing everything I can to be fully fit for the start of pre-season.”

Shaw has only played eight times for the club but so impressive were his performances in those games that fans have been clamouring for his return.

"I was desperate to get back with my first injury, the ACL, but we took our time and didn't rush anything,” explained the midfielder. "I understood the reason for that because it's quite common to suffer a recurrence if you rush back too soon from an ACL injury.

"I had to get my head round it and with this second injury, I don't feel in any rush at all. I've had two surgeries on my knee and I need to make sure it's fully ready and 100 per cent right before I go back. I’m on the grass but I've not done too much yet, just straight line running, but I feel good and I’m doing everything right.”

Shaw says he has learned things about himself during his time out.

"The big thing I’ve taken from this is just to take extra care and make sure I do everything properly,” he added. “It's made me even more professional and I've missed it so much that I won't take it for granted when I do get back.

"When you're fit, all you think about is matches and training, but I had to set myself different goals to help me mentally and I did that with the physio department.

"I've become a bit obsessed, I've been in that gym for about 14 months straight now, and to be honest my body physically is probably as good as it's ever been. Obviously my knee needs to get better and stronger but that will happen in time and I’m just excited to get back on the pitch again.”

Shaw’s experience has not been helped by Town’s struggles; he’s had to watch on helplessly as the team slide towards League Two.

"It's been hard to watch and I've found it very frustrating because there's nothing I can do help,” he admitted. "You obviously feel you can make a difference and it's just never nice to be injured anyway, to see the team struggling as much as it has makes it more difficult.”

It's a cliché but Shaw really will feel like a new signing when he steps back out onto the pitch in three months' time.

He added: "I’m a bit weird because I actually like pre-season – I'd rather have a tough pre-season because you feel you're getting something out of it. Other lads might dread it but it's been so long for me that I just can't wait for it.”