Hinshelwood: I need to fight to get back my place in the team

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The midfielder started the opening Premier League game of the season, but injury saw him ruled out for seven weeks.

Charlie Hanson

2026-10-18T09:30+01:00

Jack Hinshelwood made a goalscoring return to action against Kauno Zalgiris. 📸 by Paul Hazlewood.

Jack Hinshelwood was delighted to score on his return from injury in the 4-0 victory over FK Kauno Zalgiris. But he admits that it was frustrating to watch the team winning games in his absence.

“To be honest, it was just nice to be back on the pitch for the first time in seven weeks,” he said. “It was great just to be back with the boys and I enjoyed every minute.

“I’ve just been itching to get back out there, but at the same time, buzzing that the boys are doing so well. I'm the biggest cheerleader from the side when I'm not playing. Hopefully now I can contribute going forward.

“The injury obviously came at a frustrating time after I'd just scored two [at home to Aston Villa]. It was a frustrating period but it made it a bit easier that the team was doing so well. I was supporting them every week and when they kept getting good results it made the harder days less hard.”

While the extended international break meant an unwelcome break from Albion matches for fans, it gave Jack extra time to complete his recovery.

“Obviously, I was disappointed to miss out on playing for the England Under-21s,” he said. “They had some big Euro qualifying games and now we're qualified so that's great.

“But it probably did come at a good time, allowing me an extra few weeks just to build that match fitness back up and hopefully now I'll come into it a bit more fit and ready to go.

“I’m feeling good. I came off as planned [against Zalgiris] so it was good to get the minutes back in the legs. Hopefully now I can just keep building up and help contribute to this team.”

Jack Hinshelwood has been Albion's biggest 'cheerleader' while out injured. 📸 by Paul Hazlewood.

However, Jack knows that getting his place back in an in-form side may not be straightforward. “I've got to work really hard to fight for a place because the boys are doing so well and that's great. I'll be supporting them and fighting for my shirt back.

“I think all the best squads in the world have competition for places and that's no different here. If someone loses their shirt, someone else is ready to step in and take it and that'll probably be me now ready to take my opportunity.

“The main thing is we've got such a good squad and good togetherness that we're all pushing in one direction. There's no big egos and that's massive for the team going forward, especially with so many games on the horizon.”