But the centre-back has been hard at work throughout the close-season and took only 10 days holiday away from the gym and treatment room.
"I'm just trying to make sure everything is right," Shittu told the official website. "The last thing I want is to come back and have to take another six months off because I've done something else.
"I've been in for most of the summer. I only had 10 days off to go away and I must say it's great having the boys back around.
"I've been on a few long runs with them and it feels fine. I'm just glad that some of my fitness is still there - it's such a buzz to be back out there training."