Alan Smith's Starts Career No 2

Last updated : 04 September 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

But the 26-year-old fought his way back to fitness and sealing a move to St James's Park in the summer sees him start a new career.

Smith: "These days I just enjoy every minute of being involved in football. I'm getting picked regularly for my club, and England still want me.

"Believe me, that's a position I couldn't have dreamed about last summer.

"I know there were a lot of managers and coaches who were telling people I'd never be the same again, and I began to wonder myself.

"Nobody questions whether I might have to pack in or play at a lower level. They have seen I can do it again

"There's still a lot to come from me - I'm not at my best.

"But the fans seem to appreciate I'm giving it 100 per cent. I'm not shirking any tackles, and I still get stuck in for 90 minutes, from the first whistle to the last.

"I'm not saying that is anything special, because giving 100 per cent effort should be the minimum requirement for any footballer.

"But I'm not sure you can say that about every player these days."