var playerInfo={"B628C0FB460378A51A233D645651DF2F":"","95081CC600C137A3ECD07E1A2BAC6047":"3","289C5F85E5EE1B609E88960AAED5C65D":"1985-8-30","033EA04110C4B96A":"1","70356B8F0C59F6B5":"341","6438FCEB8DF4FD6202A461D3835934E5":"Glasgow Rangers,Portland Timbers,Preston North End,Norwich City,Aberdeen","26A41B77C025E2F442D11C4E5D31FCE8":"2","76E5DE99890AB189":"178cm","FD1933E1882D5E7A216F21827D2B22B4":"","C9B224F2C5B356EF":"Kilmarnock","F9622CC2808B37CB":"69kg","92D102DDE1327A88":"Steven Smith","31E4B7E841B17C66":"Steven Smith","4931588B4E3083E863A5C74E5EDB35F1":"

STEVEN SMITH has recovered from the pelvic problem that once threatened his career and is ready to push for a regular place in Alex McLeish's squad<\/STRONG>.<\/P>

The young Scottish left-back was included in the travelling party for the pre-season training trip to Germany before the 2003\/04 season - with youth pal Chris Burke - and his career really looked set to take off.<\/P>

However, he missed the majority of that campaign through injury and at one stage feared he may never play again.<\/P>

Thankfully, the flame-haired defender has proved his fitness and he was finally thrust into top team action against Hearts on November 28, 2004.<\/P>

Stevie replaced Mo Ross at half-time and played his part in a fine 3-2 victory, a result that propelled the Light Blues to top spot in the SPL for the first time since October 2003.<\/P>

He was handed his first SPL start in the 1-1 draw with Inverness Caledonian Thistle the following week and his career has gone from strength to strength ever since.<\/P>

In 2005\/06, the defender made 24 appearances for the first team and, by the end of the campaign, had cemented his place in the first-team and won the club's Young Player of the Year award.<\/P>

His battling displays have earned him rave reviews and he looks to have a very bright future at the club.<\/P>

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