Town centre-half Tommy Smith won his 18th full cap as New Zealand hammered the Solomon Islands 6-1 in a World Cup qualifier in Auckland this morning.
The 22-year-old, who played the full 90 minutes, will now fly back to the UK and is likely to be back at the club on Thursday.
With the Blues yet to add to the central defensive options, All Whites vice-captain Smith looks a certain starter at Middlesbrough on Saturday despite his extensive travelling.
Town midfielder Josh Carson will be hoping to win his fifth cap this evening when Northern Ireland take on Luxembourg in a World Cup qualifier in Belfast (Sky Sports Three 7.30pm). The 19-year-old is likely to be on the bench having been an unused sub in the 2-0 defeat in Russia on Friday.