Alan Smith won't be rushing himself back to first-team action, despite coming through an hour of reserve team football on Monday night.
The 25-year-old striker played 66 minutes of the second string's 7-2 Lancashire Cup win over Preston at Deepdale. It was Smith's first game since breaking his leg and dislocating his ankle against Liverpool at Anfield in February.
But, although he came through unscathed, the Yorkshireman doesn't want to dive straight back into first-team football.
"Playing for the reserves is a step up from training and hopefully, in a few weeks time I will have had some more reserve games and then be able to make the step up to the first team," said Smith. "I just need a few matches under my belt now."
Preston were defeated by goals from Chris Eagles, Giuseppe Rossi (2), Danny Rose, Phil Marsh (2) and David Jones. Smith didn't score in the match, but he was pleased with his contribution.
"My movement was okay and I just need to build up my strength a little bit," he said. "I could probably have played all night and not scored but I have worked hard all summer to play in matches."
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