Injured star admits frustration - exclusive

Last updated : 12 December 2004 By Andy Parsons

The winger, who had been impressing as an emergency left-back was in fine form but damaged ligaments in the home win against Barnsley on October 17.

It came as a massive blow as only days earlier, Paul Sturrock labelled the former Hartlepool man as a 'future number 3' following his performances in the back four.

But Smith literally hates to watch games while he is out injured and just hopes the work he is putting in at the gym will pay off for a post-Christmas return.

He told Footymad: "Life at the moment is frustrating, annoying and harsh. I hate watching football games but I have been doing lots of work in the gym, lots of strength exercises but you have to look on the positive side and try to get back as soon as possible.

"I have been out five weeks now and in four more weeks I am hoping to be back because the the injury was not as bad as first thought. At first I thought I had snapped both my knee ligaments but fortunately I only damaged one.

"I am hopefully back for the game against Walsall, that is the aim anyway and that will be ten weeks since I first got the injury but I have to be careful and just do lots of work on the knee in the gym before you start properly training again."

During a typical Saturday afternoon, Smith goes through a series of emotions and admits he does not even watch the game unless Wednesday are winning!

He said: " While the game is in progress I am sat inside watching Sky and if I hear a roar from the crowd I come out but like I said earlier I can’t watch as it is really frustrating especially when the team is doing well and you are not contributing toward that success and it is a horrible feeling which as a professional footballer you can’t describe. You want the team to win, of course you do but it’s terrible not playing."

The injury came at a terrible time for Smith, especially after Chris Turner put him on the transfer list and then took his chance with both hands under Sturrock.

He added: "It is amazing how things turn out for you. I had been dropped then I returned and found some form and when Paul came in he was playing me at left-back and I don’t mind where I play as long as I am playing and playing well but now I have to get fit again and get back in the team and get back to the form I was in before the injury."

Meanwhile, Dennis Hobson, who has been linked with a move to take over Wednesday has said he will fund the massive wages for former Arsenal and Barcelona star Emmanuel Petit.

The boxing promoter claims that Petit is more than interested in joining the club although yesterday The Owls made a statement that such a move would not happen.