Town defender Tommy Smith has been named in the New Zealand squad for this summer’s Olympics. The Oly Whites, as the U23 side plus three overage players is known, play Belarus, Egypt and Brazil at London 2012.

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.

Smith’s involvement in the Olympics means he will miss virtually all Town’s pre-season programme, which begins on July 5th.

Also involved in the Olympics will be former loanee Giovani Dos Santos, who is being linked with a summer move from Spurs to Atletico Madrid. Mexico's U23s face South Korea, Gabon and Switzerland at London 2012.

Elsewhere, Hull City have been linked with released Aston Villa keeper Brad Guzan, who is understood to be one of Paul Jewell’s alternative summer signings now that number one target Tomasz Kuszczak has joined Brighton.

However, the US international, who is currently back in the States, is not believed to be viewed as Jewell’s definite second choice, more one of a number of names on a long list of potential alternatives to the former Manchester United man. Guzan, 27, spent time on loan with the Tigers last season.

In addition to their interest in Kuszczak and links with Guzan which go back to March, the Blues sounded out former Peterborough keeper Joe Lewis prior to his move to Cardiff, while QPR’s Paddy Kenny has also been mentioned in connection with Town, however, is expected to be reunited with Neil Warnock at Leeds United.

Watford’s Scott Loach, Manchester United youngster Ben Amos and Birmingham’s Colin Doyle, who was recently offered new terms by the Midlanders, have all also been linked.

Oly Whites: Jake Gleeson, Michael O'Keeffe, Ian Hogg, Tim Myers, Tommy Smith, Ryan Nelsen*, Adam Thomas, James Musa, Tim Payne, Michael McGlinchey*, Alex Feneridis, Cameron Howieson, Adam McGeorge, Kosta Barbarouses, Shane Smeltz*, Chris Wood, Marco Rojas, Dakota Lucas. Standby: Michael Eagar, Cameron Lindsay, Luke Rowe, Scott Basalaj. *indicates one of the three permitted overage players.

Photo: Action Images

itfc1981 added 09:13 - Jun 21 Top man, forms a good partnership with Nelsen.
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walberswick added 09:14 - Jun 21 Hopefully he plays well and someone comes in for him.
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Wickets added 09:21 - Jun 21 Not sure if this is good news or not for Tommy.Good he's been selected good for the experance but will he be burnt out for first half of our new season? Still we got lots of cover at the back! Have we learnt from the contract mistakes of the last 2 years? (Garath Macauley) It's been a bit quiet on Lee Martins new contract?
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JewellintheTown added 09:33 - Jun 21 Great news. I shall be there on the 26th July @ Coventry shouting for Smithy. Good on ya lad.
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Marcus added 09:36 - Jun 21 I don't think Smith will need a pre-season. However he may need a break mod-season. Goalkeeper link list could be summarised as: Town need a keeper, haven't got a clue who will sign so here are a list of previous rumours in case one is correct.
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Wickets added 10:10 - Jun 21 Has anyone started a book on who will be in goal in our first game of the season? A L Ba--lls up as fav.
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JimmyJazz added 10:55 - Jun 21 The key to us getting a goalkeeper in is who else is interested. If it's just us and league 1 clubs then we may have a chance. If it's another Championship club then we'll lose out. ALB to be number 1 when the season starts
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Mark added 12:30 - Jun 21 Smith - I think it will be more good experience for him, and will keep him fit if nothing else. Guzan - If Hull want him, we have to be rank outsiders as we never seem to fight off other clubs to win a signature. I'd like us to sign someone soon though. This time last year we had made three signings with another imminent, whereas this year we have signed only one player who is injured until October. Martin - It has gone quiet on his contract. I expect he will leave on a free transfer next summer then. Sorry for a negative post, I'm in need of some good news from ITFC to give a lift to the fans!

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MattinLondon added 12:33 - Jun 21 Sorry for a negative post, I'm in need of some good news from ITFC to give a lift to the fans! Even if we sign Messi and half of the Spainish full international squad I think some people here will still whinge and whine....imagine having to seat next to walberswick and others like him....actually doesn't bear thinking about
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Fatboy added 12:51 - Jun 21 Well done Tommy! PS Does New Zealand have any sports teams that don't have an All Black spin-off name?
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BigAlsMate added 12:59 - Jun 21 Congratulations Tommy. I'm sure all Town supporters are proud of you and wish you well.
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Wickets added 18:57 - Jun 21 Yer i should have said in my previous post well done Tommy and congratulations. Preston north end have signed a half decent keeper, much better than the one we got!
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PauloJulio added 19:49 - Jun 21 Smithy wont be needing a pre-season will he, but i fear a burn out at some point and there seems to be a distinct lack of centre halves being signed
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Talbs77 added 21:23 - Jun 21 Well done Tommy, think this only help him in his development but do worry slightly about burn out as at this rate he will be in from the 1st game. Yet to sign any cover resulting in him basically not having a close season at all as he played in their world cup qualifiers just after the season ended.
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TractorBeezer added 01:06 - Jun 22 Congratulations Smithy and well done. Hope that you don't come back injured though.
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Sindre94 added 03:42 - Jun 22 Congrats Tom
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walberswick added 11:02 - Jun 22 One less player for pre-season. Then there were ten.
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walberswick added 13:40 - Jun 22 Is PJ going to do an about turn and offer Sonko a pay per play deal so he can field a team for pre-season friendlies?
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alfromcol added 14:13 - Jun 22 Plenty of positive posts on here again!!! Must be some sad people about who all they have to look forward to is another report from Phil that they can make up some negative comments on. Walberswick - have you ever made a positive comment on anything. Life must be a party in your house?
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lilcornishblue added 14:34 - Jun 22 ahhh good for him thats excellent!!!! i would say i hope he wins silverware but my love for GB is much more intense
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walberswick added 14:39 - Jun 22 Alfromcol Hope you're gaying it up in Colchester.
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s6blue added 15:46 - Jun 23 good on ya smudge
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