Town youngster Monty Patterson has been named in the New Zealand squad for their USA tour next month.

The All Whites play Mexico in a friendly in Nashville on Saturday 8th October, then take on the USA in another friendly in Washington DC on the following Tuesday.

MIdfielder or frontman Patterson has previously won five full caps for New Zealand and was part of the squad which won the OFC Nations Cup in the summer.

The 19-year-old is yet to make his senior debut for the Blues but is a regular in the U23s.

Former Town loan strikers Rory Fallon and Chris Wood are also included in the squad.

Meanwhile, All Whites coach Anthony Hudson says he has spoken to Tommy Smith regarding the central defender, who is currently out injured having undergone back surgery, returning to the international fold.

Hudson left Smith out of the squad for the OFC Nations Cup as he felt the 26-year-old wasn't committed to playing international football.

"I've had a good meeting with him, I've come back to New Zealand and my focus has been purely on preparing for this window," Hudson told Newshub.co.nz. "He's a good character, it's not like he's a bad character.

"I've spoken to the senior players in the team already. I've got their feedback, all of them have expressed they back my judgement on the situation and they're happy with what I decide based upon my conversations and how I see the situation.

"The decision will be made upon the best interests of the team, whether he comes back or not."

Hudson says he will talk to Smith again following the games in the USA.

Photo: TWTD

hoppy added 10:01 - Sep 29 Sounds like it should be good experience for the lad. Hopefully we won't lose any more strikers in the mean time, or we might be needing him to step up.
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