Framlingham Town boss Liam Abraham delighted to have striker Danny Smith back after two-and-a-half year injury along with George Exworth ahead of promotion run-in

There was a time not long ago when it looked like Framlingham Town’s homegrown hero Danny Smith may never get to feel the jubilation of hitting the back of the net again.

But after making his comeback from a double leg break after more than two years since a horror tackle, his manager believes that along with fellow long-term injury victim Geroge Exworth he can be key to solving their promotion puzzle.

For three years on the bounce The Castlemen have suffered play-off heartbreak in the Thurlow Nunn League First Division North. But with Smith beginning to rediscover the striker’s touch that once saw Needham Market boss Mark Morsley offer him a two-year contract to jump up four leagues in 2015, Abraham believes his presence could be key for his fourth-placed side.

“Danny’s is a great story,” he said of the player who has already contributed three goals in nine comeback first-team appearances, six from the bench.

“He broke both bones in his leg two-and-a-half years ago and didn't kick a ball during that period.

“He’s rehabbed really well. He had a real tough period where it seemed it wasn’t getting better and they looked at potentially re-operating.

“At one stage there was a little bit of concern he wouldn't be playing football again.

“So to see him back is amazing and he’s scored a couple of goals already.

“The idea is very much to keep getting him up to speed by dropping him minutes where we can. But we'll play that on a game-to-game basis.

“Having him available in and around the play-offs is going to be huge for us this year.”

He added of the 26-year-old: “He's just such a good lad that he just fits the group so well and it's just a pleasure to have back, to be honest with you.”

Danny Smith, with the squad also containing a Dan Smith who also plays as an attacker, will have to perhaps fight for a place with 30-goal marksman Max Willett, but Abraham is happy to have the conundrum to deal with.

“Oh absolutely,” he said. “They're actually very different players. Danny likes to get on the ball a little bit deeper and a bit more involved with the play.

“Max likes to be around the box a little bit more so, yes there'll be options.

“I look at our squad this year and the depth is incredible. There's lads that we're having to rotate out, I wouldn't say drop. We're rotating them out because we're so strong.

“We’ve got guys like George Exworth that's played over 100 games for us. He's back and ready to get fighting in the squad as well, which is brilliant.”

Framlingham returned from a weekend without a fixture, with a 2-2 home draw against a Needham Market Reserves side that are battling to stay in the Thurlow Nunn League First Division North that extended their winless run to three games, following a defeat and a draw against fellow promotion hopefuls FC Peterborough (1-0, H) and Stanway Pegasus (1-1, A).

Goals from Josh Lucraft and Max Willett claimed a point that saw them remain fourth, six points above chasing Gorleston Reserves in sixth place and with a two-point gap above fifth-placed Diss Town with six games to go.