Central defender Tommy Smith will miss today’s game at Blackpool as he is unable to play in the match and meet up with the New Zealand squad before the FIFA-set deadline in order to play against Mexico in this week’s World Cup play-off first leg.

With other clubs reported to have laid on £100,000 charter flights for their players ahead of the international break, manager Mick McCarthy was asked whether the Blues planned to do the same for Smith at his pre-match press conference on Thursday: “We’re having to do all of that.”

Asked about the specific arrangements, he added: “Loads going on, planes, trains, automobiles, [he’ll be like] John Candy.”

Smith is required to be at the All Whites’ training camp in LA by midnight tonight local time ahead of Wednesday’s game at the Estadio Azteca on Wednesday.

West Ham’s Winston Reid, who has subsequently been ruled out of the play-off with injury, and Leicester’s Chris Wood were in the same position and the clubs looked into chartering a plane to get all three players there in time, with the Blues chartering a private plane from Blackpool.

However, the club were ultimately unable to find a viable means of getting the 23-year-old, who is expected to skipper New Zealand, there before the deadline while featuring in today's match.

Photo: Action Images

ipswichtillidie added 14:15 - Nov 9 Hewiit right back then with chambers/Berra CD. More balanced. Hope we don't miss Smith today too much thou
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ipswichtillidie added 14:18 - Nov 9 or not as i am now understanding,,,, Looks like Edwards.... Hmmmm
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ArnieM added 14:19 - Nov 9 Once Chambers and Berra team up as a CB pairing that will be Tommys place in the side gone.
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BroskiBeen added 14:36 - Nov 9 Good luck Smith, will be hard against Mexico but if you believe you will win and make it to the World Cup, this will give promising Hewitt another run out however this wouldn'rt have been as bad to miss Smith if Cresswell wasn't suspended, blame Cresswell not smith
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Hegansheroes added 14:38 - Nov 9 ArnieM-I believe this is a dream come true for MM, he can now play Berra as a CB & not get too much flack for dropping our best defender. Berra did play for him at Wolves I believe so he has to have a place anywhere in the team.
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