Khano Smith played his first 30 minutes of football this season on Sunday following months of rehab after knee surgery, making a substitute appearance for the New England Revolution reserves.

The former Dandy Town striker ? injured in the Major Soccer League play-off semi-finals last season after a collision with former World Cup winner Youri Djorkaeff ? replaced Kyle Brown in the 60th minute of a 4-1 loss to the Houston Dynamoes second-string.

Smith had surgery in the off-season and although he resumed full training more than six weeks ago, he hasn?t yet been deemed match fit.

Despite his 30-minute run out in the Texan heat, Smith is unlikely to begin first-team action just yet. ?I think he?s still not there in terms of fitness and match sharpness but this was a big step forward,? said a club spokesman. ?It was 100 degree heat in Houston which made it an ever tougher test.?