Town defender Tommy Smith is back in contention for the New Zealand national side after clear-the-air talks with All Whites head coach Anthony Hudson.

Hudson, the son of former England international Alan, said in May that he wouldn’t be considering Smith for selection, citing the 26-year-old’s lack of commitment to international football.

However, the pair recently met in London and resolved the situation with Smith apologising for his lack of communication and Hudson outlining what he expected of the centre-half as a member of his squad.

Hudson, whose side are next in action in a World Cup qualifier against New Caledonia in Auckland on Saturday 12th November, says it is “in the best interests of the team” to welcome Smith back into the fold.

“If I had stuck to my guns and not looked at that I don’t think that would have been right for the team and especially as the national team coach I don’t think that would have been the right thing to do,” Hudson explained to the New Zealand Football official website.

“We have another good experienced professional coming back into the squad. I am really pleased we have not only a quality player but also a good character.”

Smith, who is currently sidelined having undergone back surgery, is delighted to be back in contention for the All Whites, with whom he has won 29 caps and appeared at the 2010 World Cup.

“It means a great deal to me,” he admitted. “I love pulling on the Silver Fern every time.

“I spent a lot of my youth in New Zealand and the majority of my football education was done over there and it means a great deal every time I put on that shirt.”

After Hudson said he wouldn’t be picking him ahead of the Oceania Nations Cup, which New Zealand won in May and June of this year, Smith called him.

“I was quite gutted when I saw that he said that but I think it was a strong stance to take at the time and I think he would have stuck to his guns,” he said.

“But having had that communication and had a good chat, I underlined my commitment to the cause. Hopefully it can all be water under the bridge now and hopefully the squad can welcome me back with open arms.”

Since then Hudson and his assistant, one-time England caretaker-boss Peter Taylor, have both met up with Smith and have been in regular contact, while six senior players have backed the head coach's decision.

“From these meetings, Tommy has assured me he that he has total commitment to the team and what we are doing,” Hudson continued.

“On the back of that I am very pleased and very keen to have him back. He will be a good addition to the squad.”

He added: “What’s done is done and Tommy is available for selection. He is fully committed and he understands, like the rest of the team, what commitment looks like going forward towards Russia.”

Smith added: “Firstly I had to apologise to Anthony for my lack of communication over the few months previous.

“It was kind of him to agree to meet me. He didn’t have to do that but I appreciated his time.

“The conversation was about me expressing my desire to be considered for selection once again.

“Anthony clearly outlined his requirements and his expectations regarding commitment to the squad and the cause going forward.

"I understand what those expectations are and I will endeavour to uphold the values that he has got in the future.”

Regarding New Zealand’s prospects for reaching the finals in Russia, he said: “We have got a young hungry squad and we have big goals that we want to try and achieve. Hopefully I can come back into the mix and contribute to those goals.”

Photo: TWTD

KiwiBlue2 added 01:56 - Oct 25 Great news. Tommy can make a big contribution to NZ's cause going forward and the recent results against Mexico and the USA (which we could have won) show an improvement on our efforts over the past 2 or 3 years. The All Whites looked much hungrier and more competitive and hopefully this can be built on with qualification for the next World Cup the next goal. Also heartening to see Monty Patterson in the AW squad and doing well.

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Radlett_blue added 09:04 - Oct 25 Bad news. Jetting round the world to play pub teams like New Caledonia will do nothing for his Town career, especially for a player who has just had major back surgery.
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MattinLondon added 09:42 - Oct 25 It's a honour to play for your country regardless of where it is.
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PortmanTerrorist added 10:49 - Oct 25 Tommy should have been Club captain years ago; easily our best defender until Webster arrived. Were that the case,and i do get that Chambo is a decent guy, but Tommy's passion for the Club is on a different level which we have needed at times recently.....and of course we would not have been forced to accommodate Chambers at RB
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Currie10 added 11:15 - Oct 25 Tommy was in the away end Sat, nice lad.
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TractorCam added 13:01 - Oct 25 Sadly Radlett_Blue Tommy won't be playing much more games for us this season so good for him to get back in the international frame!
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Seasider added 16:52 - Oct 25 If I recall it was Tommy's decision not play for NZ previously;dont think it was their boss,and when he became available wasn't picked. Glad it has all been sorted out to everybodys satisfaction. Think the travelling could have been factor,and perhaps Tommy was worried about losing his place with four centre backs now in Smith,Berra,Chambers and Webster.
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jas0999 added 20:19 - Oct 25 Wouldn't be surprised if Smith moves on. I like him. Always have. But harshly treated by Mick at times.
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Hegansheroes added 13:37 - Oct 27 jas09i can't see TS getting back as a regular.MM has made it obvious Berra is ahead of him n the pecking order and Webster does look like a very good acquisition (one of very, very few good signings by MM). I thought Berra was very average last season & not much better this but he did play for MM at Wolves so h must be the best defender in the Championship. As for Chambers, a liability. poor full back, not much better in the middle & distribution like a rugby player going for touch. but he can never be dropped. Can't think of anything to say about Knusden from derrrrr. Can see TtS moving on in January

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