PFA Player Management Agency member Rob Hulse goes into Queens Park Rangers pre-season training hoping to secure a regular place in the club's starting 11 next season.
After arriving from Derby on deadline day last summer, the 31-year-old forward spent much of his debut season at Loftus Road struggling with injury and found opportunities limited within the first team as the side went on to claim the Npower Championship title.
After the summer break, Hulse is now eager to make his mark in the Barclays Premier League next season, and is hoping to force his way into Neil Warnock's plans on a regular basis.
“It's always tough to come back after the break," Hulse said. "With any job, coming back into work is always difficult, but it's good to be back to see the lads. The aim now is just to get fit. It's important that I get a good pre-season.
"I was always on the back foot a little bit when I joined last season, but hopefully I can stay fit this year and go from there."
Hulse is well aware that the Barcalys Premier League campaign will provide the Hoops with a very difficult task, but believes the team west Londoners are well up for the challenge. Pre-season trips to Cornwall and Italy will only serve as a positive as the club looks to come together ahead of the season opener on August 13th.
"It'll be good for the lads to get some games under their belts," he continued. "It's going to be a tough season and we're just coming in and working hard - everyone's looking forward to next season. We had a good season last year but we're under no illusions that it's going to be tough next season.
"We've just got to knuckle down, stick together and play some good football and hopefully we'll do ourselves justice."
