Central defender Tommy Smith says he is targeting a regular place in the Town side this season after impressing at this summer’s World Cup with New Zealand. The All Whites were the only unbeaten side at the competition but narrowly failed to progress from their group.

Smith told the club site: "I was in and out of the team last season. I had a couple of injuries and they came at bad times for me as well, having just got back in the side.

"The World Cup was a great experience and has given me a lift and hopefully I can use that to help me get in the team.

"That's my main target for the new season - to impress the manager and force my way into the side on a regular basis."

The Macclesfield-born defender was placed 217th in FIFA's official Castrol Index Ranking, ahead of a number of more illustrious names.

Despite having made an impact on the international stage, injuries have limited Smith’s senior domestic appearances to just 37 starts and three games from the bench since making his first team debut during his loan spell with Stevenage Borough in February 2008.

The 20-year-old made 15 appearances during his two months with the then-Blue Square Premier side, has made 14 starts and the three sub appearances for Town and featured eight times for Brentford during his spell at Griffin Park last season.

Smith, who has now been capped seven times by New Zealand, is due back in pre-season training next week, having been given extra time off after the World Cup.

Photo: Action Images

Mungo added 18:35 - Jul 12 Go for it Tommy!
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bedsitfc added 18:42 - Jul 12 i think there is a good chance we could use 3 CB'S with leadbitter holding as we missed out on derry, with peters and o'connor pushing on. keane did hint at a change of style.
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RobbieScarlatti added 19:31 - Jul 12 Castrol index? Slick.
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Mark added 19:49 - Jul 12 It will be interesting to see how highly the manager values Smith. Keane said he did "reasonably well" in the World Cup, which didn't bump him up too much. Does anyone know why Smith was given squad number 20? That is behind the likes of McLoughlin (13), Quinn (15) and Hyam (19). Anyway, I think Smith deserves a good chance and indeed a back three with wing-backs could be sensible.

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legoman added 20:14 - Jul 12 217th in the castrol index. Well oil be blowed.
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bedsitfc added 20:46 - Jul 12 i dont think squad numbers mean anything, apart from making sure players that are transfer listed know they are almost out of the team.
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marcusevans added 20:49 - Jul 12 He ain't no Dipstick!
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JohnyJohnson added 22:49 - Jul 12 Not sure i'd be confident for him a starter yet but happy to see him on the bench. All the best Smithy!
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generalpublic added 00:18 - Jul 13 if he stops his shirt tugging he could be ok
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WadzillaBhoy added 04:24 - Jul 13 Name me one player that doesnt tug shirts?
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Bergholtblue added 09:10 - Jul 13 Everyone tugs shirts and or shorts, the best ones make sure they get away with it.
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Bergholtblue added 09:14 - Jul 13 What is the point of the Castrol Index ranking? Forlan is down at 46 but was awarded the FIFA Golden Ball as the tournament's outstanding player.
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Vic added 10:28 - Jul 13 Higher than King, Carragher, Defoe, Crouch, Lennon & Milner on the list and only just below Matt Upson. Surely a Prem star in the making! Will a regular in the team before the seasons out.
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Fatboy added 13:06 - Jul 13 Good to see some competition for places at the back. Compare it to the start of last season when the defence was a shambles.
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itfc4eva added 13:31 - Jul 13 go on m8, u nd mccauley nxt season could be a brilliant partnership. use tht world cup experience u picked from 2010.
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SiBo added 15:45 - Jul 13 I think McAuley + Delaney will be the first choice this coming season as they did look good when playing together last season, But I think Smith is an excellent backup, who does have the ability to force himself into contention as a first choice player...
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devontractorboy added 17:14 - Jul 13 Lets hope McAuley doesn't have his usual nightmare start to the season. Be nice to see Tommy getting a slot though, Delaney is still a donkey IMO!!
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corshamblue added 10:29 - Jul 14 If McAuley stays fit preseason I'm sure he'll start well and put the ghosts of the last 2 seasons to rest - it will depend though on stability on his side, and that isn't Smith yet! Delaney to start the Season and yes Smith will push for a place at some point. In the Kiwi Team he was bailed out a few times by a experienced CB, that can be Gareth for us - but I doubt we'll see that partnership for a while with Bruce stopping at the mow and Macca+Delaney looking good at the end of the season. Let's not get carried away with Smith, he's OK but not a standout talent for me. He can do a Job, and do it well. I'm not sure they'll be too many managers on the phone to Roy after him (and I don't believe the paper talk about Blackburn) All that said, I think Tommy is a terrific lad with his feet firmly on the ground and a rightful confidence that he'll improve this season and push for a first team place. After all the Town defence is hardly set in stone.

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