Interview: David O'Leary on Alan Smith's injury

By Pranav Soneji

Smith's recovery will depend on his mental attitude

Alan Smith faces a gruelling rehabilitation after suffering a horrific injury in Manchester United's 1-0 FA Cup defeat by Liverpool.

The England international broke his left leg and dislocated his ankle after attempting to block a free-kick from John Arne Riise.

He faces a minimum of six months of intensive treatment before he can contemplate pulling on the red shirt once more.

BBC Sport spoke to former Coventry City defender David Busst, who suffered a similar injury in 1996, and Bevan Ellis, clinic director at Crystal Palace Sports Injury Centre, about Smith's road to recovery.

David Busst: Like Alan Smith I was taken to hospital to have my leg pinned the day after the injury happened.

However, the main difference between my injury and Smith's was that my bone broke the skin, adding more complications to what was already a career-threatening injury.

I had to rebuild all the muscles around my leg and learn how to walk again David Busst

Just by judging the reaction of the players around me I knew it was serious. I immediately thought 'that's it, goodbye football career'.

Bevan Ellis: Smith has been fortunate enough to have been operated on within the first 12 hours of the injury, which immediately improves his chances of a successful recovery.

The leg cast is all important to ensure the bones glue back together so nature can take its course.

DB: If I had suffered a natural, clean and internal leg break, with rest and recovery I would have been back in training within six months.

My complications stemmed from the infections that I picked up because my bone had broken the skin.

Within 12 days of the injury I had 10 operations on my leg. As a consequence I now have something called a 'drop foot', which means I can't pick my foot off the ground properly.

Busst's children were often in his thoughts during rehabilitation

The media interest surrounding my injury and letters from supporters and well-wishers kept my mind off the injury and what could possibly happen in the future.

BE: Manchester United's medical staff will be constantly checking X-rays to monitor the progress of the bones.

It will probably need a good three months for the bone to fully heal.

When the foot is ready to come out of plaster, it will be stiff and won't move a great deal.

So the physio's priority will be establishing a full range of movement back into the ankle before any further rehab.

DB: After the operations I had to rebuild all the muscles around my leg and learn how to walk again.

Because of my drop foot I had to learn to walk differently, which was very frustrating.

Smith will be spending plenty of time with the physios in the next six months

But after six months of rehab I was told I wouldn't be able to play football again.

Immediately I began to think about the future and how I would provide for my wife and two children.

BE: The physios will be focusing on building strength around the ankle and leg to ensure it has the same strength as the other ankle.

At the earliest opportunity they will also look to introduce cross training into the rehabilitation to begin the fitness programme.

Exercises like light jogging, kicking, hopping from foot to foot, speed and agility work are ideal exercises for footballers recovering from a broken leg.

There is no reason why Smith should not be back to full fitness but it will probably be a minimum of six months before he can get back to playing again.

DB: Keep focused and don't set unachievable targets.

It is important to have the right people around you, giving you positive thoughts, and I'm sure Smith is the type of player with a positive attitude.

Because if you don't it all gets a little too much at times, especially if you think about the bad things for too long.

David Busst is the community football manager at Coventry City, a post he has held since 1998.