Smith makes Darlo loan move

Young winger joins Quakers from Bolton

By Rob Parrish   Last updated: 12th October 2007

Johann Smith

Smith: Darlo switch

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Winger Johann Smith has joined Darlington on loan from Premier League side Bolton.

The 20-year-old left-sided player will go straight into Dave Penney's squad for the home clash with Stockport on Sunday.

The USA Under 21 international spent a stint on loan with Carlisle last season and has made just three substitute appearances since joining The Trotters in 2006.

He is the second player to move to the Darlington Arena on loan in the past week, with striker Matt Green joining from Cardiff on Monday.

Smith

Meanwhile, veteran winger Martin Smith has admitted it could be the New Year before he finally returns from his knee injury.

The 33-year-old underwent surgery on his left knee in the summer after suffering a similar injury that kept him on the sidelines for a year during his time at Huddersfield.

And while Smith has admitted his frustration at the speed of his recovery, he knows he cannot rush back into action.

He told the Northern Echo: "It's a very slow process, there's not a lot you can do other than wait for it to heel and you can't put an actual date on it.

"I'm not retiring but it is the sort of injury where you don't just know, it might not settle down.

"That's why it's hard to put a date on it, you just don't know what's going to happen with it."

Arthritis

He added: "It's the same with any injury, but when it's your knee, and it's a bit of arthritis I've got, it's hard to say.

"It's going a bit slower than was hoped for. When I first went in for the operation I was told I would be out for three or four months but now it looks as though if I get back for Christmas I'll have done well.

"I had been hoping to get back for the end of October, but I was probably a bit ahead of myself. Hopefully it's going to be sometime between the end of November and the middle of January."