Smith on the road to recovery

Forgotten man Darren Smith insists he’s still very much part of Jim Gannon’s plans after battling back from a serious hip injury.

The 21-year-old has been forced to look on from the sidelines as his team-mates have taken the SPL by storm so far this campaign.

But after an operation and several visits to Bradford to see a specialist, he is now just three weeks away from rejoining the squad in training.

“It’s been almost four months now since I first picked up the injury so to say it has been frustrating is an understatement,” Smith said.

“The technical term for the problem I had was a right-hip arthroscopy. I had a few issues with my cartilage and the bone on my hip so I had to get that sorted out. I had to go down to Bradford as unfortunately, there is no-one in Scotland able to carry out the procedure.

“It’s a bit of a nightmare having to drive for three or so hours every time I need to get it checked out but he’s the leader in his field so along with John Porteous, I am in the very best of hands.

“Because the issue was on the bone, you have to give it a lot of rest so I was on crutches for six weeks. I was forced to sit around on my couch, watching day time television, so that in itself has inspired me to get back quicker.

“I am hoping to be back training with the boys in about three weeks and I am really looking forward to it. After that, it’s just a case of taking it slow as I can’t rush it so maybe, sometime early in the New Year I am hoping to be back to full fitness and in contention for a first-team place.

His injury came at the worst possible time - almost immediately after Jim Gannon took over at Fir Park.

However, despite missing out on first-impressions, he’s hoping to showcase what he can do when it’s his time to return to training.

“It couldn’t have come at a worse time,” he said.

“When the new manager wants to come in you want to do your best to impress as everyone at that point has a level playing field.

“I’ve not yet had that opportunity and even although it has been great to watch the guys doing incredibly well from the sidelines, I am itching to get back.

“I’d also like to take the time to thank the physio, John Porteous, who has been brilliant all through my rehab. Others have said it in the past and it’s true, there’s no-one else in the business you’d rather be dealing with whilst injured.”