Tommy Smith is desperate to make a 50th Huddersfield Town league appearance at Bournemouth after coming through a “difficult” game against Wolves.
The versatile former Manchester City defender featured for the first time since being knocked out and airlifted to hospital after the 2-1 home derby defeat against Leeds United.
Forced to sit out the 3-1 win at Millwall by medical guidelines, he returned for Tuesday’s 4-1 setback at the John Smith’s which left Chris Powell’s side 15th in the Championship.
“I was delighted to be back in action, but it was a bit difficult, and not just because of the result,” admitted the honest 22-year-old.
“What happened against Leeds was hard, but the doctors assured me there was no lasting damage and that I was okay to play again.
“I had no choice but to sit out the Millwall game because of the medical protocol, but I told the manager I wanted to be considered against Wolves.
“It was a real boost that he picked me again at the first available opportunity, and I’m just sorry that we couldn’t build on the win at Millwall.
“We created a lot of chances over the game, but we didn’t take them and they did and we paid the price.
“They played like we played at Molineux earlier in the season, when we won 3-1. They soaked up pressure and hit on the counter, and they did it well.
“People will look at the score and draw their conclusions, but we had a lot of the ball and I don’t think it was a 4-1 game.
“They weren’t that much better than us, and we can prove a point by bouncing back and putting in a good display at Bournemouth.”
Eddie Howe’s second-placed South coast side were 4-0 opening-day winners at the John Smith’s, a result which led to the departure of Town manager Mark Robins.
“It seems a long time ago now,” added Smith. “Our team is very different now – different personnel, a different manager and a different way of playing.
“Our away form was poor at one stage, but we’ve had two wins back-to-back on the road at Wigan Athletic and Millwall, and of course we want another.”
Bournemouth lost the leadership to Middlesbrough on Tuesday after being held to a 2-2 home draw by Derby County, who dropped from second to third.
Howe’s side twice led, through Matt Ritchie and Callum Wilson, but Tom Ince and then on-loan Aston Villa striker Darren Bent equalised for Derby.
“I thought we were below our best, so not getting beaten was a positive,” said Howe. “It was a learning one and I back the team to come back stronger.”
