Cisse backs Smith to make comeback

Last updated : 20 February 2006 By Al Campbell
The Manchester United player broke his leg and dislocated his ankle just before the final whistle on Saturday. The injury was similar to the one Cisse successfully fought back from last season and the French striker was quick to offer encouragement to Smith.

"I wanted to say to him I know how he is feeling, and that everything will be okay for him, like it has been for me," said Cisse.
 
"I just told him to be strong. It is hard, so hard for him at the moment, I have been through exactly this and it is difficult to cope with what is going through your head.
 
"I saw the break and it looked bad, but I am proof that he can recover well and get even stronger afterwards.
 
"When I saw him lying there on the pitch in agony, it brought back to me what happened. A year ago, I was recovering from a terrible break, and now I am playing again.
 
"I am sure Alan will do the same. The hardest part is when your team-mates are going out on the pitch, and you know that you cannot. That is so difficult, and it is when you have to be strong in your head.
 
"But Alan strikes me as that kind of person, someone who is tough and can deal with this. I told him that he will get through it."