Justin Langer hits back at England's claims about Steve Smith

Justin Langer has dismissed claims from a number of England greats that Steve Smith won’t be the same player after his scary blow at Lord’s.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain was among those who suggested Smith would have mental demons upon his return from a nasty bouncer blow from Jofra Archer in the second Ashes Test.

Hussain wrote in this Daily Mail column that "whoever you are and however good you are, you never like facing truly fast bowling".

"Once you have taken a serious blow like that, things can change," Hussain noted.

But Langer is confident Smith will make a successful return from concussion and conquer any demons created by the frightening incident.

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Smith missed day five of the second Ashes Test then was ruled out of the third Test after being struck on the neck.

The former skipper returned to the crease during last week's tour match in Derby, batting for 47 minutes, but didn't confront anything even closely resembling the threat posed by Archer.

England veteran Stuart Broad has promised there will be no respite from Archer, who is "excited to continue that battle" after a public tit-for-tat between the express paceman and Smith.

A two-paced pitch kept Smith on his toes during Australia's first training session since the squad arrived in Manchester for the fourth Test, which begins on Wednesday.

Smith started Monday's net cautiously, standing to one side and gauging just how uneven the bounce was on a wet wicket.

The right-hander faced up but there was no sustained bouncer barrage from Mitchell Starc and James Pattinsion.

Smith, as is his wont, was the last batsman to leave the nets after a 30-minute solo session with Langer.

Langer dismisses claims

Langer, who suffered multiple concussions during his 105-Test career, admits there is always "a little voice on your shoulder" when facing chin music after a head knock.

"He would've thought long and hard about it. If anyone's going to get over any little demons, it'll be Steven," Langer said.

"He works the game out better than anyone I've ever met.

"He's faced lots of short-pitched bowling in his life ... he should be right.

"He's moving really well."

Broad knows how a cricket ball can create both physical and psychological damage.

The paceman experienced recurring flashback nightmares after his nose was broken by a delivery from Varun Aaron in 2014.

"He's got a bit more skill than me with the bat, so it probably won't affect him," Broad said.

"Test cricket is a brutal sport ... I'm sure when Steve comes in that Jofra will be in Rooty's ear, wanting the ball.

"I'll be excited when Jofra asks for that ball.

"It was a really tasty bit of cricket at Lord's. Smith was on 70 or 80, playing beautifully, and Jofra went from 84 miles per hour to 95 miles per hour. He was really charging in."

Broad hoped Smith developed a bit of rust during his enforced stint on the sidelines after starting the series with knocks of 144, 142 and 92.

"We've not bowled at him since Lord's and he's had a period without batting, which is a bonus," Broad said.

with AAP