Despite Smith missing almost the entire season with an anterior cruciate ligament rupture that he suffered in August, Swindon still plan to give Smith a deal to keep him at the club next season.

Swindon attempted to extend his contract over the summer, although they could not reach an agreement prior to the start of pre-season, and Ian Holloway decided to leave it until later in the campaign.

Smith revealed this week that he is hoping to return to action by the final day of the season, putting him well ahead of schedule in his recovery, which is great news for Swindon.

Speaking to Sky after the win over Newport County, Holloway said that he intends to keep last season’s top scorer around for next year.

He said: “When I lost that big man earlier in the season, it broke my heart.

“We turned down a lot of money for him from another club that could have made a difference, and we offered him a deal, and he said he didn’t want to sign one then, and then he has gone and been ruled out until the summer.

“What a man, what a wonderful fella, I love him to bits, and I didn’t believe for one minute that we could replace him, and we haven’t.

“Because I am telling you that he is brilliant in the air, he is fantastic in the box, he can sprint down both sides, and we will see that again next year when I give him a new deal.

“The players are playing for him.”

Although he did not agree to a contract last summer, Smith has previously said that he wants to stay at Swindon for the long term.

Smith was part of Sky’s punditry panel for Wednesday night’s win over Newport, and he spoke of his admiration for Holloway.

He said: “That is what he does [gets the most out of players]. He has done it since he has come in the building.

“He is brilliant, he is not something that most of the lads have come across before, as he is quite old school in what he does, but he is right up my street.

“He has been brilliant for me, and he is one of the best that I have worked under, and he is maximising every bit from every player.”