ROB Smith has finally returned to the Westcliff first team – two and a half years after first suffering a serious knee injury.

The 23-year-old centre scored two tries in last weekend’s 41-17 defeat at Tonbridge Juddian.

But that came after Smith had feared he might never play again.

“I suffered two cruciate ligament injuries and at times I did wonder about whether or not it was worth trying to carry on,” said Smith.

“I had 10 months of rehab after the first injury and then to do it again straight away was mentally very tough.

“I had to have my knee completely restructured twice.

“But I’m a mad rugby fan and it was my love for the sport which got me through it all in the end.”

Smith initially returned for the Westcliff second side before making his comeback off the bench.

From there he was soon handed a recall in to the starting line-up and is now determined to enjoy his rugby more than ever.

“Each week I play I know it could be the last game I play so I want to have a good time,” said Smith, who is the son of the club’s director of rugby Bob.

“I take it very seriously and I’m a very bad loser so I want to win but at the same time I want to make sure I’m enjoying it.

“It’s been really tough for me coming down to watch all the games and not being able to play a part in the club winning promotion last season.

“But I’m fit now and want to do well to help the club stay up in the National Leagues which is where I feel we deserve to be.”

Westcliff are currently five points and one place above the National Three London & SE drop zone with four games to go.

And Smith is confident of staying up.

“We had a dreadful start, but we’re doing much better now and we’re all confident we can do it,” he added.