CHRIS Brunt is hoping to reap the rewards of a full pre-season programme as preparations continue for the new Premier League season.
This time last year Brunt was continuing his rehabilitation from the knee ligament injury he sustained in late February.
The Northern Ireland international was ruled out of action for eight months, forcing him to miss Euro 2016, before making his long-awaited comeback in mid-October on his way to 31 league appearances.
And Brunt is now keen to feel the full benefits of a rigorous summer training regime which has so far included the club's annual training camp in the Austrian Alps and the Premier League Asia Trophy tournament in Hong Kong.
"Obviously this time last year it was a bit different for me, I wasn't involved really in any of the football, I was just cycling and starting my own running," said Brunt, who is preparing to face Crystal Palace at the Hong Kong Stadium on Saturday (ko 11am UK).
"I was doing a lot of stuff on my own so it's nice to be involved with the squad and doing everything that everyone else has been doing.
"That was the first time in my career that I had ever really experienced an injury like that, so it's obviously something different and not one you'd want to experience again but I feel better now for coming through the back of it.
"I enjoyed last season when I got back out on the pitch and hopefully I can hit the ground running this year after a full pre-season."
You can watch Brunt's full interview on WBA TV above.