By Mark Carruthers

SIDELINED: Martin Smith

SOUTH Shields have revealed that fans’ favourite Martin Smith will be out of action for “a number of months” after suffering a fractured skull during an accident in hospital.
The former Sunderland and Hartlepool United midfielder underwent a successful hernia operation at a hospital in Middlesbrough last week but sustained a skull injury and a bleed on the brain following a fall.
The National League North Mariners have confirmed Smith has now been discharged from hospital and expect him to make a full recovery.
A clu...