Brunt wants injury-free season

West Brom captain Chris Brunt is positive he can feature more for his side this season with an injury-free run.

The 28-year-old Belfast-born midfielder had an injury hit season with the club last time out, but helped them to their highest-placed league finish of eighth in the Premier League.

He told the club’s official website: “My main aim this year is to come back and get a full pre-season under my belt because, if you don’t, it can affect you in the long run over the course of the season.

“Without missing a lot of football, I missed a lot of training in pre-season last year and I didn’t get to play as many games at the start of the season as I would have liked.

“Generally, last season I had a few niggles and missed a few games towards the end of the season as well.

“That sort of summed up my season really and my form suffered because of it. I haven’t been used to that in my career.

“Hopefully, this year, I will get a full pre-season under my belt and I’ll be fit and ready to go come August 17.”

Despite his injury problems, Brunt managed to make 33 appearances for Steve Clarke’s side last season in all competitions, scoring three times.