Town defender Tommy Smith has spoken of his delight at making his long-awaited return from injury in the 1-1 East Anglian derby draw at Norwich on Sunday.
Smith, who required back surgery back in September, returned to first team action as a 56th minute substitute for Myles Kenlock and went on to play his part in earning a point at the Canaries’ expense.
The New Zealand international said: "It was great to be back playing in the first team, especially in such a big game as the derby against Norwich.
"It was hard being out for so long, especially when the team have been very up and down and you feel like you could be contributing towards helping the side pick up more points more than they have done.
"It’s been frustrating but any injured player would be lying if they said they weren’t frustrated being injured. Everyone wants to be out there, fit and well and playing football.”
Smith was seen to make a lot of his preparations before joining the action at Carrow Road and he explained: "It was just a case of making sure I was nicely warmed up to ensure nothing happened to it and I’m pleased to report there were no ill-effects afterwards.
"Hopefully that means I’m back 100 per cent fit again. That was my final hurdle, to be back on the pitch in a first team game and come through it without any setbacks. From that point of view it went really well.
"I feel as if I’m ready for a full 90 minutes now. I had three 90-minute appearances for the reserves but obviously the intensity level wasn’t as high as you get at first team level.
"But the only way you get back to 100 per cent is by playing first-team matches. I got a good 40 minutes under my belt the other day and didn’t feel tired or anything, so that’s a good sign.
"When you’re working your way back there are little milestones that you set yourself and that the physios set for you along the way. You tick them off as you go along and the final one was to be back playing first team football. It was a great feeling to be able to do that.”
Smith admits it was difficult being a spectator as his Town team-mates struggled for consistency during his absence. He added: "Watching games from the stand is never nice, even if you’re fit but just not involved.
"You’re frustrated because you want to be playing and there’s not a footballer out there who doesn’t want to be playing football.
"I knew that I had to get myself right and not rush back — that was the main thing — because with it being a serious operation that was the last thing I wanted to do. I definitely feel like I’m 100 per cent now.”
Smith laughed at the suggestion that Town have missed his goals, although he has contributed 23 in all competitions during his time at Portman Road. He smiled: "I don’t know about that. I’ve scored a few in the past but my job isn’t to score goals.
"My job, first and foremost, is to get back into the team and help to keep some clean sheets. There are other people paid more money than me to score the goals!”
By playing his way back to full fitness via appearances in the U23 side, academy graduate Smith has gained an insight into the young defenders hoping to follow in his footsteps. He said: "There are some good defenders there. I played alongside Chris Smith a couple of times and he seems very handy. I’ve been trying to encourage them all.
"Luke Woolfenden has been playing out of position alongside me at left-back and he’s done really well. George Fowler’s done well too.
"In the games I’ve played for the U23s I don’t think we conceded any goals so I can’t fault the defenders really.
"If I can pass on any advice to the younger lads — and they take it on board — then great. I always try to help them if they come over and train with us, just giving them little bits of information that I feel might help them to improve their game.”
Elsewhere, Smith's one-time Town team-mate Jimmy Bullard, currently the manager of Leatherhead, is to be the guest speaker at this year's Suffolk FA Awards Night at Trinity Park on Friday 23rd June.