IT SPEAKS volumes that after almost three months without kicking a ball in anger, Adam Smith was immediately restored to Cherries' starting line-up on Saturday.

In fact, for most players, having played just 89 minutes across a five-month spell due to a knee injury which eventually required surgery, they would almost certainly be eased back into action initially from the bench.

However, Smith is not most players.

Rapidly approaching 300 matches for the club, the 30-year-old is now into his 10th year across two spells at Cherries.

And, despite Scott Parker having two more Championship-proven quality right-backs at his disposal for Saturday's clash with Stoke City in Jack Stacey and Ethan Laird, he named them among the substitutes and threw Smith straight back in.

It was just the former Tottenham Hotspur man's ninth appearance of the season in league and cup, with his only outing since October prior to the weekend coming at left-back for injury-hit Cherries in the 1-1 draw at league leaders Fulham.

That proved to be the last we would see of Smith until Saturday's win over Stoke, as he aggravated a meniscus problem.

Reflecting on his lengthy absence, Smith told the Daily Echo: "I’m not going to lie, it’s been tough. Obviously I was out for seven weeks before Fulham, I came back for a week and then I’m out again for 12 weeks.

"So it’s been one of the worst seasons injury-wise. I’ve come through this game (against Stoke) and hopefully I can build on this and get back to my normal self and get my sharpness back."

Asked if he thinks he rushed back too soon to play Fulham, Smith added: "I was desperate to play, but I was playing with pain.

"It’s hard to explain, the pain was unbearable really. I shouldn’t have really played.

"I basically just made it worse and had to have an operation to fix it completely.

"It’s been really tough."

He continued: "It’s my weakness in my whole career. Many times I’ve played on injuries and when I’ve done injuries, I should just come off, but I carry on and make them worse.

"I’ve been fighting it my whole career to be sensible, but it’s just something deep inside me, I just can’t quit.

"Which is a good thing I suppose, but it kills me in the long run sometimes.

"But the lads have done well since I’ve been out, which has made it easier to be honest. It’s nice to come back and see the fans and get a win."

So, after some time away from the pitch, does he feel like he has learnt his lesson now should he feel in pain on the pitch again?

"No, not really! I’ve been working hard in the gym, improving my diet, everything to be honest just to get back as soon as possible," he explained.

"I’m back a week early to be honest, I was meant to be back for Preston.

"I’ve done everything possible to get back and strengthen etcetera, so hopefully I can stay fit now."

Quizzed on the improvements he has made to his diet, Smith continued: "We’ve got to be under a certain body fat, so I was concentrating to get under the body fat, which I’ve done.

"And just concentrating on your diet and doing everything possible to get back fit and stay fit."

Smith actually watched the main drama of Saturday afternoon from the bench.

After being substituted on 73 minutes and replaced by Laird with Cherries 1-0 down, the hosts staged a late fightback at Vitality Stadium to win 2-1 thanks to goals from Dominic Solanke and Jamal Lowe.

It capped a special week for Lowe, who became a father again two days earlier, dedicating his winning goal to son Ziggy.

Smith himself also became a dad again this season, his partner Sophia giving birth to their daughter River at the end of November.

"It was the week of the Fulham game," Smith explained.

"It was a shame I couldn’t score like he (Jamal) did!

"But I think that made it even harder being injured - I couldn’t walk, my missus had a C-section and obviously we had the little one.

"So it was a tough time, but we got through it and hopefully get promoted this season. It would be nice."