Blues boss Paul Jewell has told central defender Tommy Smith that if he keeps working he'll push his way back into the first team frame. The New Zealand international has been out of the senior side since being sent off within a minute of coming on at half-time in the 7-1 defeat at Peterborough.

Jewell said: “I spoke with Tommy last week. Tommy’s a terrific professional and you forget he’s only 21 as he seems to have been around a while.

“I’ve told him the situation — if he keeps working we’ll see what happens. He needs to play games, his contract comes to an end in the summer, so he needs to push on.

“He works his socks off in training every day, he’s a really good pro and was a bit unfortunate that we played with two left-sided centre-backs early in the season with him and Damien and it looked a bit unbalanced.

“He came on at Peterborough and was sent off after a minute of the second half and hasn’t had too much of a look-in since then.”

The Town manager says Smith and Jack Ainsley, who signed a new 18-month contract yesterday, remain in his thoughts despite their lack of recent senior action: “They’re good professionals and they’ll always be considered because they give their best, but that’s no different to any player. If they give their best, they’ll always be considered.”

Danny Collins’s return to Stoke at the end of his 93-day loan earlier in the week means the Blues will have to make a change at the centre of the defence when they travel to Leicester on Boxing Day.

Smith and Ainsley look outsiders for the role with Ívar Ingimarsson appearing most likely to partner his old Reading team-mate Ibrahima Sonko as Damien Delaney only recently returned to full training after foot surgery.

Photo: Action Images

clive_baker added 09:59 - Dec 21 I shudder at the thought of Ingimarrson at the back against Leicester's strike force.
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debenhamsteve added 10:01 - Dec 21 I think with Tommy it was a confidence thing - like so many others. He did wonderfully with the unbeaten New Zealand team at the 2010 World Cup then established himself last season when Town had that good start to Keane's last season. Ingimarsson has look a bit slow and lacking since his return from the previous injury and at least Tommy would give balance being left footed. PJ says he's working very well in training but needs games. It seems the occassional 'behind closed doors' affairs will not really get all these fringe players match fit so it's a bit of a problem. I'd take a punt on Tommy. He is likely to want to prove a point to manager and fans and earn a new contract. Worth a risk surely PJ?

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baldman added 10:29 - Dec 21 Give the lad ago let's not forget andrews and co was in that team and most of us want him back anyway you defend from the front so I say good luck to him
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pazelle added 10:36 - Dec 21 Smith and Sonko! Well happy with that
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algarvefan added 10:38 - Dec 21 I first saw Tommy play in the FA Youth cup for Town and he was immense, I think he is deffo worth a run in the side and would like to see him paired with an experienced CB to improve his craft. Also has goals in him. Forget 7-1 and move on!
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muhrensleftfoot added 10:50 - Dec 21 Needs to be given another chance in the first team. We must try to get a few more youngsters in there. Admit though that he has a worrying habit of making mistakes at the back, but surely a better option on the left of central defence than the ageing, slow, right footed Ingimarsson
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TractorMan added 10:53 - Dec 21 The 7-1 performance has nothing to do with peoples perceptions as he was on the field for about 20 seconds! He has just proven time and again to not be of the quality required for a club who wants to be aiming for the upper part of this league!
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oldegold added 11:07 - Dec 21 Come on Tommy! We need more youth players breaking through and I would love to see him in. Let's go Tommy!
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ITFC4daprem added 12:06 - Dec 21 give him a chance got 3 goals last season as well would make the side balanced as well
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yorksblue added 12:11 - Dec 21 No thanks!
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yorksblue added 12:35 - Dec 21 Anyone placed a bet on Nugent to score?
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irishtim added 13:05 - Dec 21 Give him a chance he is still young learning the trade . reckon sonko would help him through. We need to stick with our young players as at 21 he could turn out to be a great centre back for us given time. cmon Tommy prove to us why you were at the world cup.
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Mark added 13:11 - Dec 21 Ingimarsson and Sonko are both right-footed though aren't they, although as they had a good partnership at Reading I guess they know how to play together. Smith isn't as physically strong as other centre backs and he has looked very nervous earlier in the season, plus his loan at Colchester last year didn't go well from memory. Sadly, I doubt he will make it at Ipswich and I expect he will be released in the summer.

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Michael11 added 13:21 - Dec 21 Leicester aren't in much better form themselves, plus it doesn't really matter if Smith plays or not because Nugents bound to pop a few in anyway!
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Lightningboy added 13:36 - Dec 21 Tommy's had a tough year since the world cup..I hope for all our benefits he finds some form.
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UsualSuspect added 14:29 - Dec 21 I had such high expectations for Tommy after the World Cup, fortunately he has time on his side, I'm sure he'll turn out ok for ITFC if he earns another contract.
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jas0999 added 15:15 - Dec 21 Of course Smith is still in PJ's thoughts - basically because PJ failed to address the CB situation in the Summer. Now we have lost Collins - it's down to yet another injury prone has-been or Smith. Deary me.
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Bluetone added 17:18 - Dec 21 Jewell that's Tommy told now tell Clegg to start working
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h32 added 18:25 - Dec 21 Fine words from a VERY suspect Manager.
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Dissboyitfc added 19:10 - Dec 21 when i first saw smith play i thought he was a very good prospect, since the world cup he came back a different player, not for the better unfortunately, he lost his way and unfortunately has not had a run in the team to improve his confidence, catch 22... i would play him ahead of ingimarson. COYB
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harlingblue added 19:47 - Dec 21 Play Smith ( only 21) beside Sonko and he will prove to be a far better player than most of this board give credit. Collins without Sonko looked ordinary, with him a solid, poised Centre-back? Collins probably knows he is not good enough for The Prem, and would have been happy here, but his family don't seem to want a new adventure? Give Smith the chance...if he is not 'big enough' to take it, having played in THE WORLD CUP, then get rid...he should be playing and then demanding the armband...Tommy 'gets some balls' and start staking your claim...or make this comment a waste of time!

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