Jack Hinshelwood has revealed he didn’t want a summer holiday as he worked his way back to fitness.

The Albion midfielder or full-back returned to action with a half-hour run-out in the 1-0 friendly win at QPR.

He was ruled out from early February last season due to foot surgery.

Hinshelwood said he trained for “most of the summer” but his return was kept on ice in Japan as Albion took no risks.

He told The Argus: “I had maybe a couple of weeks off, but it was hard for them to keep me away.

“I couldn’t wait to get back on the grass and see the boys again.

“I think, individually, I want to build on last season.

“I think at the time of the injury I had had a good run of games.

“I’d like to do similar again and get back in the team and performing again.”

Hinshelwood had time in both full-back roles after going on at Loftus Road.

That sort of versatility could stand him in good stead under new head coach Fabian Huerzeler.

He said: “It’s a really sweet feeling, being back out there.

“It has been a long six months and I think right from the start I have been itching to be back out on the pitch.

“It wasn’t perfect but it’s nice to be back out there.

“Hopefully it gives me two weeks now to dust off the cobwebs before we get back to a new Premier League season.”

Albion face Villarreal on Saturday and go to Everton in the Prem opener a week later.