AS Alan Smith prepares for a return to his native Yorkshire for Monday’s encounter at Sheffield United, he warned that Newcastle must avoid staying more than one season outside the Premier League.

Leeds United, Smith’s hometown club, offer the most salutary lesson for any club who slip from the top flight and then fail to make a recovery.

Smith was one of the many star names to quit Elland Road in the wake of the club’s financial meltdown and relegation from the Premiership. His move to arch rivals Manchester United tarnished his reputation as a Leeds legend but his connections with The Whites ensures he will be given a rough ride at Bramall Lane.

“If we don’t get promoted this season we will have failed,” noted Smith, who is expected to return to the starting line-up after serving a one match suspension.

“It’s vital we get back up at the first attempt. You look at what’s happened to my old club Leeds United to see the damage that is done if you stay down for a few seasons.

“Hopefully they are on their way back. Sheffield United are a huge club outside the Premier League. Sheffield Wednesday, Norwich, Forest are all the same.

“It’s massively important to get back up as soon as possible.

I’m sure as an ex-Leeds player I’ll get a good reception at Bramall Lane! I think all of the teams down there still see me as a Leeds boy.

“Trouble is, I get similar grief when I go back to Leeds now so there’s nowhere in Yorkshire that seems to like me. If we don’t get promoted you always have the risk of players seeking a future elsewhere.”

But Newcastle’s position as Championship pacesetters is making them an increasingly attractive destination for players seeking to jump on the club’s promotion bandwagon.

Sol Campbell is the latest to declare a desire to link up with Chris Hughton’s squad.

Campbell said: “I have been approached by several clubs, and yes, it is correct to say that Newcastle are one of them.

People might be surprised to hear me say that I would be very interested in a move there, but I have my reasons.

Also, Newcastle are a big club and could be heading back to the Premier League. It appeals.”

The former England centrehalf left Notts County after just one appearance, and will be available to another club when the League Two side agree to release his registration, which is the subject of ongoing negotiation.

He has been training with former club Arsenal to maintain his fitness but sources at St James’ Park suggest they will not be making a move for the 35-year-old.

Hughton’s need for additional defensive cover has abated with Danny Simpson, Steven Taylor and Fabricio Coloccini all training today and rated by the manager as having “a very good chance of playing” on Monday. Smith hailed Mike Ashley’s decision this week to reward Hughton with a permanent contract.

“I think he’s got the job because of what he’s done in difficult circumstances,’’ he said.

“Not just at the start of this season but last year when he’s taken the role when it was a poisoned chalice that no-one else wanted to take. He’s just a nice man. It’s a strange thing to say because a lot of managers would do things differently to him.

“Sir Alex (Ferguson) is a completely different character, the other end of the scale to Chris I suppose. But when it comes down to it, they both want similar things they just go about it in very different ways.”