Jerome Thomas today urged team-mate James Morrison to keep on smiling as he continues his fight against a heel injury.

Winger Thomas, who spent last season sidelined at Portsmouth with a freak back fracture, has called on former Middlesbrough midfielder Morrison to stay positive as he battles back from his own bizarre lay-off.

Morrison has been out since the end of last season with a foot injury that began with a blister on his heel becoming infected.

Thomas, who has yet to play alongside Morrison, said: “I really sympathise, especially because his is a freak injury in the same way that mine was.

“There was nothing I could do about mine and I still don’t know how it happened.

“I just went in one day from training and my back was hurting and I learned I had two fractured bones.

“His is another freak occurrence. It was a blister that got infected and that was in pre-season and look how long he has been out for now and he is not even close to getting back.

“So I definitely feel for him but these things happen. It’s part and parcel of the game and of being a professional.

“You have injuries and he just has to keep his spirits high and he will be back soon.

“It’s the same with Ishmael Miller. He is looking good and doing work now and he will be a great addition when he is back.

“I can only speak for myself but staying positive is just a case of reminding yourself that things could always be worse.

“There is nothing you can do about it when it happens and it’s just a case of being professional, eating right and resting right and getting all the treatment you need.

“You just have to be patient and time can go so quickly.

“He will be back before he knows it.”