TNS' Smith 'fitter and stronger' after injury

The New Saints' Leo Smith did not initially fear the worst when he went down injured in a Champions League qualifier nearly 12 months ago.

The midfielder left his side's game against Shkendija of North Macedonia in July 2025 on a stretcher.

It marked the start of a long spell on the sidelines.

"As it happened, it was a strange feeling," said Smith.

"I couldn't really straighten my leg and I thought it could have been something like a nerve down my hamstring.

"But in the back of my head I did have the worst thought of it being my knee.

"After about five minutes, I felt I could walk and like I could carry on, but the physios knew it wasn't quite right."

TNS boss Craig Harrison immediately feared Smith's issue was serious and a scan confirmed the worst for the former Wrexham player – an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

A first major injury also came at the worst possible time for the 28-year-old.

"I was coming into my final year on my contract so stuff like that could affect my career here at this club," Smith added.

"But I'm fortunate the club know how hard I've worked and how much I'm valued here because I was given a new contract.

"I can't change what's happened but I had the best support from my family so that's what kept me going."

It would be six months until Smith was back in full training.

"With an injury like this it can take double the amount of time," he said.

"I'm proud of myself for the hard work I've put in. It's something I can look back on and know what I've been through.

"Now it's just building, keeping strong and making sure I'm fitter than I was and stronger than I was."

Smith returned to action with Saints' under-19 team in February and made his first-team comeback during the final weeks of last season's Cymru Premier campaign.

By then, Saints had already secured the league title to book their place in this summer's Champions League qualifiers.

Smith and his team-mates resumed training in mid-May in preparation for the upcoming European campaign.

"It's been a lot of hard work, double sessions and stuff," Smith added.

"The lads have worked hard and we're looking fit and we're looking strong."

TNS' European campaign begins with a first qualifying round tie against Sabah of Azerbaijan in Baku on Tuesday, 7 July, with the return fixture at Park Hall a week later.

He said: "We're hoping to get a positive result out there to bring it home for us because I know we'll create a lot of chances [at home] and normally score every game."

Smith was a key player when Saints became the first club from Wales' domestic leagues to play the group stages of a European competition in 2024.

But he believes it would mean even more to do the same again.

He said: "The first time you create history, but you want to create history again by being the club that's able to do it again and not just the one time."