Leo Smith's Background and Injury
Leo Smith is a product of the Wrexham academy and has also played for Llandudno and Caernarfon Town.
The New Saints' midfielder Leo Smith did not initially fear the worst when he was injured during a Champions League qualifier nearly 12 months ago.
Smith suffered the injury just before half-time in his side's match against Shkendija in July 2025 and had to be taken off on a stretcher.
That incident marked the beginning of a lengthy period away from the pitch.
"As it happened, it was a strange feeling," Smith told 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 manager Craig Harrison immediately suspected the injury was serious. A scan the following day confirmed the "worst possible outcome" for the former Wrexham player – an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
Smith, 28, acknowledged the support he received from the club and his family during his recovery from what he described as 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."
Recovery and Return to Training
Within six months of the Shkendija match, 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 the Saints' under-19 side in February and made his first-team comeback during the final weeks of last season's league campaign.
By that time, Saints had already secured the Cymru Premier title, ensuring their place in the upcoming Champions League qualifiers.
Smith and his teammates resumed training in mid-May to prepare for the 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."
Upcoming European Campaign
The New Saints will begin their European campaign with a first qualifying round tie against Sabah of Azerbaijan.
The first leg is scheduled to take place 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 reach the group stages of a European competition in 2024.
TNS faced opponents including Fiorentina and Panathinaikos in the UEFA Conference League and secured a victory against 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."
