Town centre-half Tommy Smith is due back at Portman Road later today after his punishing trip back from international duty with New Zealand.

With the Blues yet to add to their central defensive ranks, Smith appears a certain starter alongside Luke Chambers at Middlesbrough on Saturday, despite all his travelling.

Tweeting overnight as he began the last leg of his journey, the 22-year-old said he had managed some sleep on the previous plane: “Ten more hours until I'm back on English soil. Feeling fresh after 10 hours sleep on the last flight!”

Smith played the full 90 minutes of the All Whites’ victories over New Caledonia, 2-0, and the Solomon Islands, 6-1.

Meanwhile, striker Michael Chopra has revealed that he is wearing special therapeutic socks when he goes to bed at present due to foot pain.

Photo: Action Images

martleshamitfc added 08:51 - Sep 13 why is it "punishing"? He says he has slept for 10hrs and feeling fresh.
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algarvefan added 08:58 - Sep 13 Think of the airmiles Tommy!
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osborne1nil added 09:01 - Sep 13 He won't need to be 100% rested to take a place on the bench with our new center back, oh hang on..........nope we don't have one unless we use N'Daw?
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Dissboyitfc added 09:01 - Sep 13 i have been saying he needs a rest, i hope the silence regarding reinforcements in defence is good news and jewell is playing cards close to his chest.....coyb
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alfromcol added 09:07 - Sep 13 Lucky to get 10 hours sleep in economy, with his long legs!!
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RetroBlue added 09:27 - Sep 13 Excellent. All nicely rested and injury/ fatigue free and ready for the trip to 'borough!!
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blueblood66 added 09:43 - Sep 13 put the flags out
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Churchmanschild added 09:44 - Sep 13 Who cares............Sign more centre backs!!!!
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Doctor_Albran added 09:47 - Sep 13 Meanwhile back at fatty owls... Jewell to Hutchy "Let's give Tommy a rest and play one of our other Centre Halves?" Hutchy turns to Clegg "you still haven't told him have you?" Hutchy to Jewell - pats his leg "why don't we just rest him and give 3 at the back a go, pull in the full backs? and how about a nice cup of tea? Simon's brought hob-nobs!" Jewell looks whistfully into space "Hob-nobs? YAY, my favourite." *claps hands* Jewell "I've been looking into our central midfield problem..." Hutchy "SIMON!"

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Churchmanschild added 09:50 - Sep 13 Lol quality stuff Doc Albran!!!
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mickeyjb added 09:52 - Sep 13 I'm in agreement, the only thing that matters is getting new centre backs, there really has been some @rse stories on here the last few days. One of two things: 1. He has got some and is keeping quiet so we get the max games out of the 93 days 2. He hasn't got anyone and will publicly say how frustrated he is at the lack of signings?
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alfromcol added 09:57 - Sep 13 Don't panic everyone, the loan window is open until 25 November and another comes along in February. Plenty of time!
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Wickets added 10:03 - Sep 13 We should 'av paniced 3 years ago!!
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Wickets added 10:05 - Sep 13 Whats Jason Scotland upto in that picture?
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Keaneish added 11:14 - Sep 13 Well there's one defender at least...!!
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runningout added 11:53 - Sep 13 Punishing, my a*se, should work with me.. lack of CB that can stay focused and read a game for 94 minutes has been making me frown for donkeys ears.. it's ridiculous
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Keaneish added 11:56 - Sep 13 36 hours to solve the defensive problem otherwise i'm calling for the board... Beyond a joke at the moment!!
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AndyUK61873 added 12:50 - Sep 13 @runningout....have you ever actually been on a plan over mutiple time zoens that span half the world....the punishing part is not the flying of play football.....it is your body get used to what day it is where you are and getting back into a eating pattern, sleeping pattern.
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walberswick added 13:15 - Sep 13 Smith can fly into Middlesboro on a direct flight, and he won't be as tired or pissed off as the others coming up by coach listening to PJ sing "My Way" on karoke all the way up the M1.
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BuckieBlue added 17:46 - Sep 13 Smith must surely need a rest sooner or later- let's get somone in quick and/or try N'Daw v Wolves (surely less difficult game than away to Boro?).
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BuckieBlue added 17:47 - Sep 13 Smith must surely need a rest sooner or later- let's get somone in quick and/or try N'Daw v Wolves (surely less difficult game than away to Boro?).
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TimmyH added 17:47 - Sep 13 He really needs a rest! will be a joke if he plays on Saturday, maybe N'Daw to start? nobody else to cover though...
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