Saints defender Ryan Bertrand is ready to put the most agonising period of his career behind him today.

The left-back has been a spectator for the club’s last three matches, as a result of the ban he received for being sent off in the February 1 defeat to Swansea.

He has served his time now, though, and will be back in action for this afternoon’s “crucial” trip to West Brom, bringing an end to a frustrating few weeks for him.

Bertrand admitted he has never endured a spell like this before.

“No, not like this,” he said. “This is the first time I’ve been sent off, so this is the first time I have not been available for a period and not been injured.

“I think when you’re not injured it’s even worse – at least you’re injured.

“When you’re injured you know you can’t [do anything], and then it’s about just getting back right and getting back fit, but for this one I’ve been fit and ready.”

Bertrand, who remains aggrieved at referee Michael Oliver’s decision to dismiss him for a tackle on Modou Barrow, added: “It feels like ages, it does, even with all this build-up coming back now.

“It’s just dragged and dragged and dragged.”

He continued: “I didn’t have much fulfilment. I like to train, I like to play the game – win, lose or draw.

“It leaves me with some kind of emotion at the weekend and the fact I was missing that emotion on the Saturday it had a weird feeling about it.”

Bertrand, who has been working diligently at the training ground during his enforced absence, added: “I wouldn’t take a day off, because I didn’t feel like I deserved it, because I hadn’t been through what the players had been through.”

It is clear from hearing him speak that Bertrand is carrying plenty of pent-up frustration, so it is little wonder he is relishing this afternoon’s fixture.

“Obviously, I’ve been working hard, keeping sharp, keeping strong in the gym, maintaining it, but when you’ve got nothing to unleash it on at the weekend it’s to no avail,” he said.

“I’m really excited for this weekend. I’ve been buzzing all week and, as soon as the game on Sunday was over, I was not smiling at the result, obviously, but I felt good knowing I could go training Monday and train with a real purpose.”

With just one win in their last four league matches, Bertrand is in no doubt about how important the next few days are, with Saints hosting Crystal Palace on Tuesday after the trip to The Hawthorns.

“Very crucial,” he said. “Our next two fixtures, we need to go out there, positive performances, positive results and get back to the standards that we’ve set previously.”

Don’t miss this weekend’s Sports Pink to read why Ryan Bertrand is enjoying the happiest time of his career at Saints.