Hinshelwood: I am excited for Christmas run after time out injured

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Midfielder made terrific return from injury, scoring winner against the Bees.

Nick Szczepanik

2025-11-24T09:45+00:00

Jack Hinshelwood scored what proved to be the winning goal against Brentford. 📷 by James Boardman.

Everyone connected with the Albion, from coaching staff to fans, was delighted to see Jack Hinshelwood back in action against Brentford after ten weeks out with an ankle ligament injury.

And such is the Sussex-born star’s eye for a goal that not many people were surprised that he marked his return with what proved to be the winning strike, a volleyed finish from the edge of the penalty area after Yankuba Minteh’s shot had been blocked – a move he had started.

“Obviously I know Minteh is an outlet for us and I just tried to spread the play and followed it up and it fell nicely for me on the edge,” he said after the match. “It probably wasn't the cleanest of strikes, but if I strike it clean, it might not go in. So I wouldn't change it.

Jack Hinshelwood celebrates with Yankuba Minteh after the win against Brentford. 📷 by James Boardman.

“You wish you could just bottle up that feeling and feel it over and over again. I've missed it loads. I think it's my first goal of the season. So that was nice and I haven't scored since Tottenham away, so it's been a bit of a while.

“You spend ten weeks watching the boys and supporting them on and then all of a sudden I'm back in the mix and get an important goal, but not as important as Bart's save at the end, so I'm delighted for him. Well, equally important.

“But just to be back out there, it's nice, you know, fighting and scrapping with the boys each day. That's what you miss the most. You want to be there to support the boys. I feel for every injured player, Webby and Solly at the minute, because we know what tough periods are ahead, but we know the feeling when you come back is the sweetest. So that's what makes you strive to keep going each day.”

Jack Hinshelwood picked up an ankle injury in the opening minutes of our game against Bournemouth in September. 📷 by James Boardman.

The injury happened during the 2-1 defeat away to Bournemouth in September and was a blow so soon after he had returned to pre-season training clutching his winner’s medal from the European under-21 Championships with England. “I think obviously after the summer, the highs of that to then Bournemouth and the way the injury happened was quite unfortunate,” he said.

But Jack believes he made the most of his time in rehab, building himself up in the gym as well as working to heal the injury. “I obviously had an unlucky moment, which led to me rupturing a few ligaments in my ankle. So I’ve spent the last ten weeks working hard to get back fit, but I've come back better as well. I've come back stronger and physically in a good way.

“When you're out, you obviously can't get better on the pitch, but off the pitch I've got better. I've got stronger in the gym and felt sharper. So it's been a positive period as much as it's obviously a tough period as well. I need to build up my fitness now over the next few weeks, but I've come back at a good time.

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“Now I really just want to get a run of games or just be available. I just love being a part of this team and whatever way I can help, that's what I like the most. I'm looking forward to this Christmas period and to helping the boys.”

As he says, Jack’s return to the squad along with Brajan Gruda and – fingers crossed – Kaoru Mitoma could not have been better-timed ahead of the busy Christmas and New Year period. And he believes that the team is showing the qualities necessary to keep pushing for the European places.

“The togetherness we showed to get back in the game [against Brentford] was unbelievable. And if we can keep that character and togetherness going forward, I think this next period is going to be really exciting for us and we've got a lot of opportunities this season.”