Centre-half Tommy Smith says it’s a “fantastic honour” to be named in the New Zealand U23 squad for this summer’s Olympic Games. Smith, who played at the World Cup in South Africa two years ago, will become the Blues’ first ever Olympian when he lines up for the Oly Whites at London 2012.
The 22-year-old, who is currently on holiday in LA, told the club site: "It's a fantastic honour to be selected for the Olympics and it will be a great experience too.
"We're scheduled to play at Old Trafford which will be great too as it's a fantastic stadium.
"I will be back for the start of pre-season with Ipswich for a while, before then joining up with the All Whites.
"Playing in the Games would add to my match fitness ahead of the season, as well as being a fantastic honour, so I think I will be fine for Ipswich come the start of the season.
"I'm just really excited to be involved in the Olympics, especially with them being held in England."
Prior to the tournament they face friendlies against Japan’s U23s (Tokyo, July 11th), South Korea’s U23s (Seoul, July 14th) and the UAE’s U23s (TBC, July 19th).
Their Olympics schedule sees them play Belarus at Coventry's Ricoh Arena on July 26th, Egypt at Old Trafford three days later and Brazil at St James' Park, Newcastle on August 1st.
Former Blues loanee Giovani Dos Santos, who is reportedly set to move from Spurs to Atletico Madrid this summer, is in the Mexico squad for London 2012.