Alan Smith is back in training but what’s his Toon future?

Posted on May 4th, 2011 | 7 Comments |

Alan Smith - back in training for Newcastle United
Crocked ankle in January
Alan Smith is back in training but may not play for Newcastle again until next season.

The last time Alan Smith played for us was back in January against Brucie’s louts. During that game his ankle was broken by Kieron Richardson and he’s been crocked ever since.

However, Smith fans will be pleased to know that a magic seven league boot he wore during his rehabilitation seemed to work and he was back in training at Benton last week.

Whilst he hasn’t turned out on the pitch for us, Assistant Manager John Carver was keen to point out that he has still been contributing behind the scenes. Carver said:

“During his injury Alan has played a big part off the field for us.

“Just because a player is injured it doesn’t mean they don’t have a part to play, and Alan has been an excellent example of that.“

Fitness Coach Simon Tweddle thinks Smith is nearing full fitness but Smith’s agent, Alex Black, thinks it’s unlikely he’ll feature in any of Newcastle’s three remaining matches this season.

“Alan has been running with Simon Tweddle at the training ground. He’s doing well,” said Black.

“There’s a slight chance he could play again this season but it could well be next season when we see him back.”

Of course there’s then the matter of who drops out to make way for Smith, which as far as I can see is nobody. Nolan and Toite seem to be first choices for the centre of midfield and I would suspect that Guthrie, Gosling, Ben Arfa and Stephen Ireland (if we sign him) would all get the nod ahead of Smith. Not to mention the likes of Raylor and Shane Ferguson.

Injury issues notwithstanding, the midfield – particularly the centre of midfield – is one area where we have a lot of choice.

So it begs the question as to how much of a future Alan Smith has at the club. We paid £6m for him in 2007 and he’s contracted until the summer of 2012. I would guess he’s on a reasonable salary too, which is something Ashley would understandably be reluctant to maintain if there was little or no chance of him getting a game.

I wonder if he’ll still be on Newcastle’s books at the end of the summer?

NUFCBlog Author: Hugh de Payen I'm a baby-boomer of the punk rock persuasion, currently exiled in Somerset for crimes committed in a previous life where locals keep trying to poison me with something called 'scrumpy'. Hates sprouts, coat-hangers, Cilla Black, ornaments, Steven Seagull movies and 50 Cent (he's not worth 10). Hugh de Payen has written 634 articles on this blog.

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Comment on this post

7 Responses

  1. Think we should keep him for one more season as back up for toite but also buy a young DM n get him ready to replace smith as cover for toite!

  2. hopefully none at all.
    Wish i was paid £60k a week to be a cheerleader, perma – crock, score no goals, make no assists, be incredibly slow and give away stupid fouls.

  3. his ankle was broken by Kieron Richardson and he’s been crocked ever since.

    However, Smith fans…well thats his mother happy then..

  6. I just hope once he is fit Alex Ferguson don’t come knocking when he’s fit…we need to hold on to players like this.

    :lol:

  7. hes a classic example of the type of players we do need to offload! i like smithy but hes way past his best with all the injuries hes had and we will do well to loan him out to the championship while still paying the vast amount of his wages