Smith: No Regrets About International U-Turn
Wednesday, 17th Dec 2014 06:00

Town defender Tommy Smith has no regrets about doing a complete U-turn on his decision to take a year out from international football with New Zealand.

Smith took his cap tally to 29 when he played against China and Thailand last month, having changed his mind about the 12-month break when he found himself out of Mick McCarthy’s starting line-up in September and October.

Will he now stick with his plan to continue his international career? He said: “The main reason behind my original decision was that if I was playing week in, week out, the body can take a real battering in this league.

“But missing a few games freshened me up again straight away and since there are no international games now until March I guess we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.

“I love playing for my country and take real pride in wearing that fern on my chest. I was a bit disappointed with the way the New Zealand media reacted to my original decision because I thought the reasons behind it were quite valid.

“Obviously, there were personal benefits in that I could rest my body but it was also about giving someone else a chance to gain international experience.

“I might not be available for all the games if I pick up suspensions or injuries along the way. There needs to be someone able to step in with a certain amount of experience in my position.

“To be fair, when I reported for last month’s friendly games the other players were fine with me and it was the first time I had worked with the new coaching staff.

“It’s a new group so there were no problems there. I did get grilled by the media a little bit but I think it’s all water under the bridge now.”

Meanwhile, Smith has welcomed the arrival of new Town signing Sean St Ledger, who was freed by Leicester at the end of last season, initially on a short-term contract until the end of the year.

He said: “It’s more competition — and good quality competition as well — for places.

“He has played at a very good level for a long period of time and he has a lot of Ireland caps as well. Having another player with international experience can only benefit the squad if something were to happen to one of us.”

Meanwhile, Town are claimed to be eyeing Charlton's Wales U21 international left-back Morgan Fox as a possible replacement for the much-coveted Tyrone Mings if he moves on in January.

Chelmsford-born Fox, 21, was with the Blues academy until he was 12 years old.

Photo: Action Images

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AlexGreen added 07:44 - Dec 17 Morgan Fox? Don't know much about him but if Tyrone does leave we must surely include a loan back for the rest of the season
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