Stewart Downing believes participating in a full pre-season programme means Aston Villa should see the best of him during the 2010-2011 campaign.
The England winger was sidelined for seven months after suffering a broken foot in April 2009 before completing his £12million move from Middlesbrough.
Downing was brought back into the team as soon as he was fit by manager Martin O'Neill and made a telling contribution.
Downing said: "It is nice to be amongst the lads from the off because last season I missed six or seven months, including the whole of pre-season.
"It helps to get a pre-season under your belt otherwise you are playing catch-up - which I was when I came back.
"This time I've joined the lads from day one, I'm feeling quite fit. Hopefully I'll have a good pre-season, get a few games under my belt and hopefully you will see the best of me in a full season."
Source: PA
Source: PA