The Olympic Games in London later this year remain a realistic target for Town defender Tommy Smith — but New Zealand will have to qualify without him.
If the Kiwis do make it to the final stages he would like nothing more than to represent his adopted country, having emigrated there at a young age.
But he explained: "Olympic qualifying is taking place in March and I won’t be able to play. The manager is not going to release me because it is not in the FIFA window and I would miss five Ipswich games.
"I’m okay with that. Ipswich pay my wages, it’s my bread and butter, so I understand that. There is a friendly [against Jamaica] next month and I could play in that one.”
Smith has won eight full caps with New Zealand with the Olympic competition featuring U23 teams. Town keeper Cody Cropper could also be involved in London 2012 with the US squad.