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New Zealand Want Smith for World Cup - Ipswich Town News

New Zealand head coach Ricki Herbert has offered Town central defender Tommy Smith the chance to play for his side at next summer's World Cup. Smith, who has been capped by England at U17 level, is entitled to a New Zealand passport having lived there between the ages of eight and 16.

Herbert emailed Smith this week to offer him a place in his 23-man All Whites squad for the World Cup in South Africa and is now waiting to hear the 19-year-old’s response: "Tommy would be a great addition to the squad.

"To be able to bring in someone playing at Championship level in England, where we've also got Chris Wood and Rory Fallon, is a real bonus. It would also be a big boost because we don't have many left-sided players to choose from.

"There are processes and Tommy would have to initiate some things from his side if he agrees to join us. I haven't heard back from him yet but I'm hopeful."

Asked whether there was a chance of him making the switch earlier in the season, Smith said he was concentrating on domestic football first and foremost: "I have not thought about the international side of my game. All my thoughts are on playing for Ipswich and establishing myself in the first team squad.”

New Zealand previously tried to recruit Macclesfield-born Smith in January 2007 for their U17 squad, but soon afterwards he was called up by England with whom he played at the FIFA U17 World Cup later that year.

Recent changes to FIFA rules allow players who have appeared at levels up to U21 to change their international allegiance if they qualify for another country.

New Zealand will face Italy, Paraguay and Slovakia in World Cup Group F in South Africa.

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