Popular Hatter Smith returns home after successful operation

Jon Nurse’s challenge in Town’s 2-1 Boxing Day victory at Barnet broke both the tibia and fibula in his right leg, but he is now on the road to recovery after a successful operation.

Boss John Still said: “He’s at home at the moment in Preston where I think he’s got to keep himself pretty inactive for a couple of weeks.

“But once that couple of weeks is over I think he’ll move back down here and come in and start doing a small amount of remedial which is just to keep that thigh muscle as built up as he can.

“But probably more on that in the next couple of weeks.”

Still had finally been able to catch up with his charge at the weekend and was again due to speak to him on Monday.

He added: “He was in good spirits. I haven’t spoken to him since Saturday, but that will have put him in good spirits.

“But believe it or not I’m going to speak to him this afternoon and I will pass on the good wishes of everybody.

“Everybody’s been asking and I said when I spoke to him he was OK, but I’m due to speak to him today and will pass on the best wishes.”