Town defender Tommy Smith is back in contention for the New Zealand national side after clear-the-air talks with All Whites head coach Anthony Hudson.
Hudson, the son of former England international Alan, said in May that he wouldn’t be considering Smith for selection, citing the 26-year-old’s lack of commitment to international football.
However, the pair recently met in London and resolved the situation with Smith apologising for his lack of communication and Hudson outlining what he expected of the centre-half as a member of his squad.
Hudson, whose side are next in action in a World Cup qualifier against New Caledonia in Auckland on Saturday 12th November, says it is "in the best interests of the team” to welcome Smith back into the fold.
"If I had stuck to my guns and not looked at that I don’t think that would have been right for the team and especially as the national team coach I don’t think that would have been the right thing to do,” Hudson explained to the New Zealand Football official website.
"We have another good experienced professional coming back into the squad. I am really pleased we have not only a quality player but also a good character.”
Smith, who is currently sidelined having undergone back surgery, is delighted to be back in contention for the All Whites, with whom he has won 29 caps and appeared at the 2010 World Cup.
"It means a great deal to me,” he admitted. "I love pulling on the Silver Fern every time.
"I spent a lot of my youth in New Zealand and the majority of my football education was done over there and it means a great deal every time I put on that shirt.”
After Hudson said he wouldn’t be picking him ahead of the Oceania Nations Cup, which New Zealand won in May and June of this year, Smith called him.
"I was quite gutted when I saw that he said that but I think it was a strong stance to take at the time and I think he would have stuck to his guns,” he said.
"But having had that communication and had a good chat, I underlined my commitment to the cause. Hopefully it can all be water under the bridge now and hopefully the squad can welcome me back with open arms.”
Since then Hudson and his assistant, one-time England caretaker-boss Peter Taylor, have both met up with Smith and have been in regular contact, while six senior players have backed the head coach's decision.
"From these meetings, Tommy has assured me he that he has total commitment to the team and what we are doing,” Hudson continued.
"On the back of that I am very pleased and very keen to have him back. He will be a good addition to the squad.”
He added: "What’s done is done and Tommy is available for selection. He is fully committed and he understands, like the rest of the team, what commitment looks like going forward towards Russia.”
Smith added: "Firstly I had to apologise to Anthony for my lack of communication over the few months previous.
"It was kind of him to agree to meet me. He didn’t have to do that but I appreciated his time.
"The conversation was about me expressing my desire to be considered for selection once again.
"Anthony clearly outlined his requirements and his expectations regarding commitment to the squad and the cause going forward.
"I understand what those expectations are and I will endeavour to uphold the values that he has got in the future.”
Regarding New Zealand’s prospects for reaching the finals in Russia, he said: "We have got a young hungry squad and we have big goals that we want to try and achieve. Hopefully I can come back into the mix and contribute to those goals.”