By Amanda Little

Last updated 13:11, Thursday, 17 July 2008

Jeff Smith is set to hand Carlisle United boss John Ward a double boost by returning to full fitness and agreeing to extend his stay at Brunton Park.

Jeff Smith

The £60,000 capture from Port Vale 18 months ago still has another season left on his current deal but admits he would jump at the chance to sign a longer contract.

Ward is keen to open talks with a number of players who see their deals expire in 12 months, including Smith, Paul Thirlwell, Chris Lumsdon, Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, David Raven, Peter Murphy and Danny Graham.

Smith has returned to pre-season training fully fit after his impressive first full season at the club was cut short when he damaged ankle ligaments in a 2-1 win over Luton in March.

And the Middlesbrough-born left winger is keen to open talks with the United boss when they return from their summer training camp in Glasgow.

Smith said: “I’ve been trying to get back fit so I haven’t really thought too much about my contract but I know the manager is keen to secure the future of players.

“I would definitely be keen to stay, and it is important for me to get back playing and try to impress and show the manager what I can do.

“I’m keen to prolong my stay because it’s a great club with a great set of lads and I really enjoy it here.”

Smith can’t wait to pull on a Blues shirt again after the ankle ligament injury ruled him out of United’s end-of-season run-in.

He was left on crutches after a last-minute tackle in his side’s win over Luton, and it cost him the chance to be part of the side which lost to Leeds United in the League One promotion play-offs.

Smith has put in hours of gym work on his own to make sure he wasn’t forced to play catch-up during pre-season.

He and his team-mates have been based in Glasgow this week, where they have been using exercise facilities and the swimming pool at the city’s university.

He said: “I was really disappointed to miss out on the play-offs and it was really frustrating having to sit and watch from the sidelines.

“Luckily, I didn’t damage my ankle ligaments too badly so it has been a quick recovery.

“I rested to make sure they were strong enough when I started training again and I’ve been doing plenty of strengthening work. I did a lot to fitness work over the summer, including when I was on holiday in Tenerife.

“Nobody wants to be unfit and injured so, after the disappointment at what happened at the end of last season, I want to be back playing again.”