Central defender Tommy Smith expects to discover whether he’s in New Zealand’s World Cup squad next week. Smith has been included in the initial 30 with coach Ricki Herbert expected to name his final 23 in a week’s time.

The 20-year-old told the club site that he has his fingers crossed that he will be off to South Africa to add to his single cap: "Obviously I'm hoping to be included in the team for the World Cup and I think the manager is announcing the squad soon, possibly at the end of next week.

"It was an amazing occasion, making my debut for New Zealand against Mexico in front of 90,000 [in LA] in March, and hopefully I did enough in the game and in training to have impressed the manager.”

The All Whites face Australia, Serbia, Slovenia and Chile in friendlies with Smith seeing the former as the stand-out fixture in that list: "If I'm involved against Australia, that's going to be a fantastic atmosphere as well with 100,000 at Melbourne for the game.

"Then the team is going to Austria for high altitude training in preparation for the World Cup, but the most important thing for me at the moment is being in the final squad."

The New Zealanders face Slovakia, Paraguay and Italy in their group games in South Africa.

Smith switched to represent New Zealand, the country where he lived from the age of eight to 16, earlier this year having represented England at U17 level.

Meanwhile, exiting coach Steve Foley, says he is keen to get another job in football as soon as possible and has already been linked with former club Colchester: “I have a couple of irons in the fire and I’m looking to stay in football.

“It’s sad to have left Ipswich, but like a boxer who has hit the floor you have got to get up on your feet again.”

Elsewhere, Jack Colback could be involved with Sunderland’s first team as soon as this weekend with the Black Cats short of midfielders due to injuries.

Colback returned from his loan with the Blues earlier this week and has been included in Sunderland's squad for Sunday's game against Wolves.

Photo: Action Images

Big_Foot_Blue added 21:17 - May 5 If Jack make the bench for Sunderland and gets a game then Good Luck! You were amazing for us this season buddy, however if you have a shocker and for some insane reason the Sunderland fans boo you feel free to come back south and be with us next year! :P
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ITFCAlex added 21:29 - May 5 Agree with Big Foot Blue about Colback. Good luck to Tommy Smith too. I think he's a great young versatile centre back and 3 games at the World Cup would be amazing.
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BLUEBEAT added 23:21 - May 5 no place for Tommy Smith in the Panini sticker album - so no go Tommy :(
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Mark added 10:12 - May 6 Let's hope he goes to the World Cup, as it is nice to have Ipswich represented. Smith can provide competent defensive cover for McAuley and Deleney next season I think, along with Eastman who impressed me despite his red card at the weekend. I think centre-back is a position we can scrub off the priority list for summer shopping!
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acjwalker added 10:28 - May 6 Good luck, fingers crossed! He made te right decision picking NZ. wpuld be great to watch him in action.
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Martus added 10:37 - May 6 Mark, Eastman impressed you?!? I thought he was awful! He looked out of his depth and looked like he didnt want the ball and left everything to McAuley! I know his young, but a centre back should be more comfortable with the ball, when he did have the ball all he did was smash the ball as far away from him as possible, at least McAuley passed it out. Smith looked good at left back and was suprised when Keane took him off, i dont know what the NZ team is like but good like Tommy!

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ITFC1985 added 11:08 - May 6 Thought Eastman was very poor, certainly not ready for first team action, lacked pace and was very hesitant at times, then again im not a great fan of Tommy Smith either, hopefully in time they can both improve as players
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True_Blue added 23:24 - May 6 Thought it looked as though Keane had thrown Eastman in at the deepend!, he looked very out of his depth and i would have taken him off at half time and put smith to cb, and O'Connor to lb, Tommy Smith for top scorer at wc?
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