Central defender Tommy Smith says he came through last night’s 8-0 U23s victory over Watford at Portman Road with no significant ill effects and is now targeting a return to the first-team squad.
New Zealand international Smith, 26, who underwent back surgery in September, played the full 90 minutes as Gerard Nash's side thrashed the Hornets.
”I've been looking forward to it for the past couple of weeks now and we had this date pencilled in so it's nice to get it over and done with, with a good win," Smith told the club site.
"I'm not too tired, my back is a little bit stiff but that's to be expected after being out for such a long time. But my general fitness is alright.
"I can't say I had the most difficult game because there was nobody out there that performed badly so it's good to see.
"I just need to build up that match fitness now, after nearly five months of not playing at all it's going to take a couple of games before I'm 100 per cent sharp but hopefully now I've come through this game I can get back to being involved in the first-team squad."