Alan Smith has been told he will play an important role for
Manchester United this season.
Smith suffered a serious leg injury 12 months ago but returned to
action as a late substitute in the UEFA Champions League clash
against Benfica in September.
He then played two Carling Cup games before Sir Alex Ferguson
admitted his fitness had been misjudged and that he had been rushed
back too soon.
But Smith has been training hard over the last few weeks and
Ferguson insists he would have no qualms about putting him straight
back into the fray.
With United in top form in recent weeks there has been no chance
for Smith to make his comeback, but Henrik Larsson is set to return
to Sweden on 12th March and Ferguson admits an opportunity should
be around the corner.
"Alan will soon be really important to us - he has trained
superbly," said the Manchester United manager.
"I gave him a game in the reserves against Liverpool and it showed
he needed a game.
"When we put him in midfield in the second half he did really
well.
"He is absolutely outstanding in training and is improving all the
time.
"I could play him today, no problem at all, but the form of the
team at the moment has kept him out."
