SWINDON Town’s on-loan wing-back Brad Smith is ‘getting into his groove’ at the County Ground after an injury scare saw him return to parent club Liverpool.
The 20-year-old picked up a knock in training ahead of the League Cup fixture against Luton but played and had to be withdrawn at half-time.
The initial prognosis did not look good and Smith returned to Liverpool’s HQ at Melwood for testing.
However, Smith made a surprise return to the starting XI for the trip to Gillingham and again started in the win over Crewe at the weekend.
Undoubtedly buoyed by his call-up to the full Australia squad last week Smith had his best game yet for Town, providing a couple of dangerous crosses and going close to scoring.
Smith feels he is bedding down with Swindon now and looking forward to getting more first team experience playing for the club.
“I got injured and hurt my knee in training, then played the Luton game and came off at half-time,” Smith said.
“The staff here let Liverpool know and they wanted me to go back there and get a scan.
“The scan showed it was just bone bruising so I was out shorter than expected. It’s a result.
“It’s getting good now and I think I’m getting to know the team and the players, they’re getting to know me as well.
“The formation, I haven’t really played it before, and it suits me well to be fair. I’m just getting into my groove now.
“The formation works with the three at the back and the two wing-backs. If we keep switching the ball, it works really well, they get tired and we keep switching it.
“I don’t usually score goals playing back at Liverpool, I usually get the assist, but hopefully I’ll score one soon.
“What I’ve come out here to do is get games under my belt. Swindon play very, very good football, it’s similar to Liverpool in the style that they play, so it’s good for me just to get game time.”
Smith played with Town reserve keeper Tyrell Belford in Liverpool’s youth system which has smoothed his transition into life at Swindon but the Aussie native says the all the players have been very welcoming.
“I came in and I played with Tyrell Belford at Liverpool and then he got released and came here,” he said.
“He’s been the biggest help for me fitting in but all the lads are great.
“They (the squad) are all similar age, there’s only a couple of older boys, even they’re all top pros.”
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