 The injury forced Carlisle to miss the first eight months of the 2006 – 07 Premier League season , and he eventually returned to full training in February 2007 . He played in two reserve team matches for Watford in order to regain some fitness , hoping to break into the first team and make his Premier League debut . On 2 March 2007 , Carlisle joined local rivals Luton Town on a one @-@ month emergency loan deal in an attempt to return to full match fitness . He made his debut for Luton the following day in the 3 – 2 away defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Championship , coming on as a substitute for Matthew Spring , who had himself joined the club from Watford earlier in the season after failing to break into the first team . Carlisle went on to play five games for Luton . He made his final appearance on 31 March 2007 , in a 0 – 0 draw with Burnley at Turf Moor , before returning to Watford on 2 April 2007 . He finally played his first Premier League match on 9 April 2007 , starting in the 4 – 2 victory over Portsmouth . He was selected to play in the team 's following match , an FA Cup semi @-@ final against Manchester United , but despite being named man of the match for his performance , Watford were defeated 4 – 1 at Villa Park . Carlisle went on to play in Watford 's following three league games of the season as their relegation back to the Championship was confirmed after a 1 – 1 draw with Manchester City at Vicarage Road . 
