Accrington Stanley defender Jonathan Smith is enlisting the help of a specialist in an effort to cure a long-standing neck problem.

The injury, which Smith said can occur without warning or reason, flared up again after the central defender landed awkwardly in Stanley's 3-3 draw at home to Woking on Saturday.

So he was due to travel to Bolton Wanderers this week to see a physio, who specialises in back and neck complaints.

"It's something that I picked up a year or so ago, but it keeps recurring. My neck just goes into spasm," Smith said.

"I landed awkwardly on Saturday and it hurt at the time. It's calmed down now but I'm going to see a specialist tomorrow and hopefully he can get to the bottom of it."

Smith was substituted immediately after picking up the knock on Saturday, which he admitted came as almost a relief as he felt he was having a below-par game.

And he revealed he felt sympathy for fellow defender Steve Halford, who stepped in for Smith while he recovered from more neck problems during recent matches.

"I'd been playing every game alongside Robbie Williams before I picked up my neck injury the other week," Smith said.

"Steve came in a played two games and did really well but John (Coleman) opted to play me when I regained fitness. But Steve got his chance again when I came off."

But Smith believes manager Coleman's ability to make regular alterations to his starting line-up is serving a valid purpose.

"John was saying the other week that he would rather have it that way than have the side picked for him every week," he said.

"I still don't think he knows what his best 11 is yet but that can only be a good thing for the team because it means people are fighting for places and everyone is kept on their toes.

"Jamie Speare's made one mistake in the first game at Aldershot and hasn't started a game since.

"But John's got a job to do, he's got a big squad at his disposal and that's good for Accrington Stanley."