PROP Ryan Hopkins has returned to training with Plymouth Albion after committing himself to another season with the club.

Devonian Hopkins, who is recovering from a hernia operation, was involved in every matchday squad for the Championship side last term, making 25 league and cup starts.

And the experienced front-row player, who has had five years at Albion in two separate spells, will be back battling it out with Martin Rice, George Porter and David Morton for a starting place in 2010/11.

"Ryan has confirmed he wants to commit himself to Plymouth Albion, which we are really pleased about," said Albion's chairman of rugby Graham Dawe. "He has been one of the mainstays of the team."

Out of Albion's five props from last season only Danny Porte has left the club. He has taken up a player-coach role at Newton Abbot after struggling with injury last season.

Morton, however, will not return to Albion until October as he is spending the summer in Australia.

But Dawe is delighted that four of Albion's prop from last season are staying.

"It shows continuity," said the Albion boss.

Sam Hocking is training with Albion. He is due to complete a move from Launceston to Albion in the next few weeks.

Youngsters Steve Johns, Jamie Tripcony, Josh Perkins and Max Venables have also reported for pre-season training. They could play for the club's development team on Tuesday, along with trialist Robin Copeland.