HEREFORD United playmaker Ben Smith is lapping up his return to first team action but has promised Bulls' fans there is more to come.

The 24-year-old missed four months at the start of the season after dislocating his shoulder in a pre-season friendly with Bromsgrove Rovers and is intent on making up for lost time.

Since his comeback Smith has been on the losing side just four times in 17 games but believes he can up his performances by another 20 per cent for next year.

"It's nice just to be playing again and it's the first time in two years I've played 15 games in a row," said Smith.

"Everything has gone really well. I scored a few goals when I came back although lately my form has been pretty average -- not brilliant but not bad either.

"I don't know what's happening with my contract but if I was to stay and got a good pre-season under my belt I would like to think the fans would see a 20 per cent better player.

"When you have not played for a while and especially when you've missed pre-season training, and I've missed two pre-seasons on the trot it's quite hard and takes a while to adjust."

Smith is a fan of the style of football Graham Turner plays and believes it can win promotion to Football League.

"We are encouraged to play it up from the back, through the middle and then get the ball out to exciting players like Paul Parry," he added.

"I think we are as good as anybody. "Yeovil are the best team in the league but of the rest of the teams challenging I don't think there is much in it.

"Graham Turner has done brilliantly. If you think about where we finished last season and the fact he practically built a new squad I think he would be delighted if we could maintain our position and get into the play-offs.

"Once we are there then anything can happen.

"I've seen all the teams like Chester, Doncaster and Morecambe and we are as good as them, it's just about what happens on the day."

Smith is also adjusting to life off the pitch and the slower pace of life in Herefordshire suits the former Arsenal trainee and Reading United midfielder.

"I'm a relaxed character anyway but I also spent a year in Yeovil so I'm used to it," he added.