TNS' Smith on injury, recovery and return

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 suffered the injury just before half-time in his side's game against Shkendija in July 2025 and had to be taken off on a stretcher.

As it turned out, that marked the start of a long spell on the sidelines.

"As it happened, it was a strange feeling," Smith told BBC Sport Wales.

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

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

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

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

Smith, 28, acknowledges the support of the club as well as that of his family during his recovery from what he calls his "first proper injury".

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

"But I'm fortunate that the club obviously 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.

"I had the best support from my family, my wife and my kids as well, so that's what kept me going."

Within six months of the Shkendija game, Smith was back in full training.

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

"I can say I'm quite proud of myself for the hard work I've put in. It's been 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 for Saints' under-19 side in February and made his first-team comeback during the final weeks of last season's league campaign.

Saints had already secured the Cymru Premier title by then 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.

The first leg is in Baku on Tuesday, 7 July, with the return fixture at Park Hall a week later.

"We're hoping to get a positive result out there to bring it home for us," Smith said.

"Because I know if we play here we'll create a lot of chances here, and we normally do 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.

TNS faced opposition including Fiorentina and Panathinaikos in the Uefa Conference League and beat Kazakhstan's Astana.

"I think it would mean even more this time," he added.

"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."