Manchester United

Alan Smith insists a seventh-month absence through injury has only increased his desire to succeed at Manchester United.
The 25-year-old striker is making remarkable progress after breaking a leg in January in an FA Cup defeat by Liverpool and could return in two weeks.

He is taking encouragement from the way Paul Scholes and Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer have bounced back after lengthy spells out.

“When I return that hunger will be the same for me,” Smith told MUTV.

“I was lucky to get this far without a major injury because football is a physical game.

“You realise how much it does mean to you when you come in every day and are putting in the work after being injured.

“It would be easy to cut corners but you should never do that.

“I like taking part in sport anyway, so doing bike rides was fun.

“My aim has always been to be around for the start of the season and fingers crossed I will not be far off.”

Smith has been delighted at the level of care given to him following his injury.

He said: “The good thing for me was that I had the right people in the right place at the right time.

“The Sunday afternoon saw my leg fixed and in place. You could not ask for more and from then on I had a positive outlook.

“I cannot speak highly enough off the way I have been treated at United. Ever since my injury I have had great feedback from everyone.”