ALBION striker Sam Baldock has revealed his Premier League heartbreak.

Baldock has been plagued by calf problems for “five or six years”.

A summer op backfired and he has yet to play a part in the Seagulls’ first season in the top flight since 1983.

He is finally closing in on a return to first team contention after an hour-long comeback in the under-23s against Blackburn at the Amex on Monday night.

Baldock, 28, told The Argus: “We worked so hard over the previous two seasons to get ourselves promoted and everyone at the club, no-one more than myself, was looking forward to this Premier League season.

“Being an observer for the first few months has been heartbreaking. I have been more determined than ever to get back fit and get back in the squad. There is a lot of quality around, so it’s not going to be easy.

“I’ve had ongoing calf problems going back for probably five or six years.

“We tried to put an end to it in the summer, so I had a minor operation and I am not sure that particularly worked, due to no fault of anyone else.

“It didn’t seem to be the solution, so it was almost back to the drawing board and start again, which was a very frustrating time, mentally draining as well as physically.

“It’s really pleasing to get back out there.”