Nicky Shorey is back in the groove

After two years that tested his love for football, Albion defender Nicky Shorey is back in the groove.

The Baggies' resident 'Rat Pack' fan is on song again in the Premier League with a string of impressive displays in the Baggies' flying start to the season.

But, while his enthusiasm for Frank Sinatra and the rest of 'the clan' never dimmed, the full-back admits he lost his zest for his job during a frustrating spell at Villa.

When Shorey left Reading for Villa in 2008 at the age of 27 he appeared destined for glory, as he eyed European football and the chance to add to the two England caps he won a year earlier.

Yet by the time he came to move on again this summer after a nightmare spell at Villa Park, Shorey admits his spirit had been pushed close to breaking point by his puzzling exile from Martin O'Neill's team.

Despite an impressive CV he found himself the forgotten man of football, until the Baggies stepped in and got the fan of 60s crooners back in the swing of things.

He said: "It's just nice to be enjoying football. At Villa I wasn't really enjoying it. I'm 29 now so I just want to play as long as I can and enjoy it - that's my main aim.

"I was just pleased that someone was interested in bringing me to their club.

"Things didn't go to plan at Villa and it's always nice when someone wants you.

"There weren't too many people knocking my door down in the summer, so I was delighted when a club like West Brom showed their interest. That's football - you can be out of sight, out of mind.

"I'm just delighted I've got the chance to come here and enjoy my football again."

Shorey's performances since replacing injury victim Marek Cech on the left of Albion's back four have made him a vital part of the club's climb to sixth in the early Premier League table.

The unflustered full-back's calmness under pressure has endeared him already to the Hawthorns faithful.

But even Shorey admits he would struggle to match the cool demeanour of his entertainment heroes - Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Junior and their suave band of showbiz friends.

It might buck the trend for wall-to-wall hip hop in football dressing rooms, but that did not stop him making a pilgrimage to Las Vegas and the Rat Pack's old stomping ground.

He said: "It's not all about the music. It's the way they were, the way they carried themselves and the way they dressed.

"My dad liked them and it's just something I have grown up with and really liked.

"I've been to Las Vegas with my wife. It's an amazing place."

Shorey's Albion career has already had its high notes with the momentous 3-2 victory at Arsenal and an unbeaten start at home to name but two.

And the former Reading man is relishing a return to regular first-team football.

He said: "It's been easy to settle in. I've found it similar to when I was at Reading - a good set-up, a well-run club and nice people.

"Arsenal was definitely one of the highlights of my career. Beating Arsenal at the Emirates is one of those things to tell the grandchildren about in years to come."

"We have had some other tough games., but the lads have stuck to it and we have gathered a decent amount of points from the games we've had."

By Steve Madeley