Central defender Tommy Smith says he came through last night’s 8-0 U23s victory over Watford at Portman Road with no significant ill effects and is now targeting a return to the first-team squad.

New Zealand international Smith, 26, who underwent back surgery in September, played the full 90 minutes as Gerard Nash's side thrashed the Hornets.

”I've been looking forward to it for the past couple of weeks now and we had this date pencilled in so it's nice to get it over and done with, with a good win," Smith told the club site.

"I'm not too tired, my back is a little bit stiff but that's to be expected after being out for such a long time. But my general fitness is alright.

"I can't say I had the most difficult game because there was nobody out there that performed badly so it's good to see.

"I just need to build up that match fitness now, after nearly five months of not playing at all it's going to take a couple of games before I'm 100 per cent sharp but hopefully now I've come through this game I can get back to being involved in the first-team squad."

Photo: TWTD

iaintaylorx added 10:55 - Feb 7 Will be great to have him back. Since he got injured is when our season started faltering and we started conceding too many goals! Definitely out future captain and still pretty young!
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Wacko added 10:59 - Feb 7 It's not as if he wouldn't be targeting it...
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truckertractorboy added 11:07 - Feb 7 I think he will b like a new signing cause he seems to have missed all the worst performances . Welcome back tommy
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ArnieM added 11:32 - Feb 7 ......Smith...........Taylor............Chambo Sorted!
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carsey added 12:14 - Feb 7 Hopefully next season we will have a Webster/Smith pairing at the back and if Chambers is still with us a decent 3.
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hampstead_blue added 12:26 - Feb 7 Great to see him back. I had similar ops a few years back and it can take a while to get your confidence back. Great to see him back. In time to nail down his place for next year and a new manager.
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Brownie added 12:40 - Feb 7 Agree with Annie M a fit Smith replaces Berra on current form.. Some good news along with the result last night. Please tell me Samuel is going to be involved at Villa! COYB!
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Count_Arthur added 13:04 - Feb 7 Saw him play last night and looked very sharp, did the full 90 minutes and played really well - as did the rest of the Under 23's, there should be a considerable number of the team that thrashed Watford last night knocking on the door. Rather than Sears or Pitman being in the squad Patterson, Moore and/or Samuel certainly deserve a start.
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pegasus added 13:27 - Feb 7 TS should be on the subs bench asap. Good for the team's morale as much as anything.
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muccletonjoe added 14:06 - Feb 7 Welcome back tommy
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Edmundo added 14:42 - Feb 7 One of our own! Hard worker, and could be a reason we've struggled as his goals have been missed (averages about 4 a season, usually crucial ones). Teddy back too and soon we may even have half a home grown squad.
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PortmanTerrorist added 17:57 - Feb 7 Biggest mistake of MMs time at Ipswich was making Chambers Captain and not Tommy. He is a leader and has been our best and most consistent center-back for years now. I know Berra shone 2/3 season ago but Tommy was always still solid then and dug Berra out more than a few times when his lack of pace was exposed. Moreover, MM would not have been obliged to keep picking Chambers at RB. Tommy is as close as we have to a playing legend of the future right now. Get him back in the team and give him the armband too.

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BlueandTruesince82 added 18:40 - Feb 7 I'd like to think Smith will be captain one day. Think he definitely has all the attributes and he is a proper defender. Could well go on to be an utter town legend
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KiwiBlue2 added 20:45 - Feb 7 Great news. Hopefully in first team starting line up in next couple of weeks. Berra needs a rest and we need an injection of enthusiasm. Hopefully MM saw the U23 game and has taken note of performances. Next couple of months looking brighter if MM can ditch his habits of a lifetime and switch to attacking line ups with solid back 3 behind much stronger looking midfield and enthusiastic strikers who can regularly find the net ....... coyb

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KiwiBlue2 added 20:46 - Feb 7 Also hope to see Tommy getting game time with NZ team in world cup qualifiers......
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coolcat added 10:17 - Feb 8 Great that Tommy got 90 minutes in on Monday. Looking forward to seeing him make a first team return soon. A real pro. Came across very well at the London fans event on 24/01/17.
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