Town defender Tommy Smith played the full 90 minutes as New Zealand drew 1-1 in a friendly with China in Nanchang this lunchtime.

Smith, who recently returned to the All Whites fold having initially planned to take a year off international football, was winning his 28th full cap.

Leicester’s Chris Wood equalised for New Zealand in the 86th minute, China having gone in front two minutes before the break.

The All Whites face Thailand in another friendly in Bangkok on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, manager Mick McCarthy says he was delighted to see striker David McGoldrick called into the Ireland squad earlier in the week after the paperwork relating to his qualification had been completed.

“It will be Seamus McGoldrick now!” McCarthy told the club site. “It’s fantastic for Didz though, fantastic for the club and fantastic for Ireland. They are getting a really good player, someone who can cope with that level.

“He has the technical skills and the nous to play at international level as well as the willingness to do all the dirty jobs, tracking back, defending from corners. He deserves to play on the international stage.”

McCarthy says he’s looking forward to tonight’s game between Ireland and Scotland having played in the last match between the two nations in February 1987 when Ireland won 1-0 at Hampden Park.

“I was up in Glasgow this week talking about the game at a press conference and it gave me a feel for tonight’s match. It should be a great occasion,” he added.

Photo: Action Images

big_gaz67 added 16:52 - Nov 14 I am a little bit disappointed by the headline Phil! Plenty of rooms for awful puns I would have thought my old China.......
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