Smith: My ankle is stronger than ever
IF 19-year-old defender Tommy Smith faces Leicester City at Portman Road today he will not shirk a tackle.
Elvin King
IF 19-year-old defender Tommy Smith faces Leicester City at Portman Road today he will not shirk a tackle.
Smith has revealed that the ankle he broke almost 12 months ago is now stronger than ever.
The Macclesfield-born youngster played in Tuesday's Carling Cup win at League Two Shrewsbury having been on the bench for last weekend's Championship 2-1 defeat at Coventry City.
He says he will be better for his long-term injury adding: “It toughened me up mentally.
“I lost eight months but I always try and take the positives and now, because of what I experienced, I feel more able to take setbacks.
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“And if anything the injured ankle is stronger than my other one.”
Smith reflected on his long road back to full fitness.
“As soon as it happened in training I knew it was serious.
“I knew I was going to be out for a long time but decided to stay upbeat and concentrate on the long road back to fitness and recovery.
“Now I can look back and say I came through it, which is great.
“I was a bit tentative in the first couple of reserve games but as soon as I came through my first 50-50 tackle I felt good.”
And is enjoying working with Roy Keane, who selected him for the final game of last season against Coventry.
“The manager was a legend in his playing days and he's a real disciplinarian,” Smith went on.
“He won't accept anyone being late and that's a very good thing to have. You can't have a situation where people come and go as they please.
“That wouldn't be good for anyone and it's massively important to have such high standards.
“It's always been that way but now something like punctuality is a priority rather than being optional.”
