7 footballers who returned from career threatening injuries

#4 Alan Smith – Leg break and dislocated ankle

Alan Smith was

It is way too obvious that something unimaginable has happened on the pitch when a Manchester United player receives an ovation at Anfield. It was 18 February 2006 and Liverpool were hosting Manchester United in an FA cup tie. Something unimaginable did happen in that game as Alan Smith suffered a brutal injury. Smith’s attempt to block a John Arne Riise free-kick resulted in the former severely dislocating his ankle.

Sir Alex Ferguson said the injury was one of the worst he has ever seen. The Englishman was out of action for seven months and he returned to the team in a UEFA champions league game against Celtic.

“Some people are told they will never walk again and manage to do it. It wasn’t a case of giving up for me. " Smith remembers.

He is currently with Notts County and has played for Newcastle United and MK Dons before joining the Notts. The 36-year-old certainly failed to reach the levels that many thought he would but fair to him it is never easy when a player comes back after suffering a career-threatening injury.