JONATHAN Smith has declared himself fit for Accrington Stanley's trip to Bradford Park Avenue tomorrow - less than seven days after physio Jack Cunningham thought he was dead.

The 22 year-old defender collapsed by the side of the pitch following a collision with keeper Jamie Speare during Stanley's 3-0 victory over Whitley Bay last Saturday.

And when he was later rushed to hospital, Smith found out he had burst a blood vessel near his heart.

"I'd collapsed by the side of the pitch and blood started to pour out of my mouth," he said.

"Jack was going to give me mouth-to-mouth because he thought I had died.

"I went all pale and my lips had turned blue.

"Once they got me into the ambulance I started to come round and thankfully I'm okay now.

"But I appreciate everything Jack did for me.

"He had told me not to go back on in the first place and I should have listened to him."

Smith's nightmare began when he was accidentally kneed in the chest by Speare as the pair tried to clear a corner.

Former Rovers physio Cunningham was quickly on the scene and advised the player to come off.

But Smith insisted he wanted to carry on and, as manager John Coleman was about to substitute him minutes later, he collapsed on the side of the pitch, with blood pouring from his mouth.

"I was really frightened when I heard the ambulance coming and saw the reaction of the players," said Smith.

"Everyone was really worried about me. "But I wasn't really aware of what was going on because I kept drifting in and out of consciousness.

"It was only once I got to hospital that it really scared me to death.

"They kept me in overnight and did lots of tests.

"But they let me go home the next day and, apart from a few bruises, I'm feeling fine."

Now the only thing on Smith's mind is to win back his place in the Stanley team.

He had to watch from the stands as the Reds overcame UniBond Premier Division outfit Droylsden on Tuesday night.

And although manager John Coleman is unlikely to rush him back at Bradford tomorrow, Smith is waiting in the wings if he gets the call.

"I'm available for selection if John wants to pick me," said Smith.

"But after Tuesday night's result he probably won't want to change too much."

Smith earned a move to Stanley in the summer after some towering performances at the heart of Great Harwood's defence last season. And he hasn't looked back since breaking into the side at the start of the season.

"Moving to Stanley was the best thing I've ever done," said Smith.

"The set up is brilliant compared to what I've been used to and the people are so friendly.

"Loads of people have given me Get Well Soon cards and asked me how I'm doing after what happened last week, it's been unbelievable.

"I think the manager is also putting together a good team.

"We've had a few problems against sides in our league because they've tried to drag us down to their level."

Manager John Coleman has no major injury worries as Stanley prepare for their first ever visit to the Horsfall Stadium - Bradford's new residence.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.