Former NRL star Tim Smith using cryotherapy in bid to overcome ankle injury

FORMER NRL playmaker Tim Smith is using technology in an bid to recover from an ankle injury in time for Wakefield's opening Super League game.

FORMER NRL playmaker Tim Smith is using medical technology in an attempt to recover from an ankle injury in time for Wakefield's opening Super League game at Bradford this weekend.

The Australian halfback, who was the Wildcats' player of the year after inspiring them to reach the 2012 play-offs, was expected to miss the start of the new season after damaging ankle ligaments against St Helens earlier this month.

But the club have turned to cryotherapy, which involves the treatment of injuries through exposure to freezing cold temperatures, in a bid to speed up Smith's recovery and coach Richard Agar will give him until Saturday to prove his fitness.

"The club have invested in a cryogenic compression machine," said Agar at Wakefield's pre-season media day. "He's had round-the-clock work on his ankle.

"We got the machine in the day after he got injured and he's made really significant progress."

He added: "It's his right foot so I need to know he can kick the ball with as much power as he can when he's fully fit. There's 27 rounds to play so I'm not going to take any risks."