Tommy Smith’s international travels with his adopted New Zealand will not resume until March and he means to put the time to the best possible use.

His globetrotting may have become second nature to the Ipswich defender but he is forced to admit: “It’s not the most ideal situation in the world but it can’t be avoided unfortunately and to be fair I’m not going to turn down the opportunity of representing my country.”

Smith’s most recent experience with the All Whites saw him head for China and a 1-1 friendly draw, then upon his return he was left out of the Town side for the 6-0 defeat at Leicester.

He added: “The gaffer spoke to me and said he didn’t feel I would be 100 per cent for the Leicester game, which was understandable. I don’t think anyone would be. But representing my country is a big thing for me and I will continue to do that.

“The China trip did come at a bad time but thankfully I got myself back in the team and hopefully I can keep hold of that place.

“Obviously it’s not ideal but that international window was a bit different with it being a midweek one. That made it tougher. With the two-week break it’s a bit easier because I can get back in the country earlier, which gives me more time to recover.

“But with no international commitments with New Zealand until March I will be trying to cement my place in the Town side.”

Macclesfield-born Smith was eight when he emigrated with his parents but within six years he was making regular trips back to the UK.

He explained: “I was 14 when I joined the Ipswich Academy then I left New Zealand, where I spent most of my school years, to sign my scholarship when I was 16.

“I love representing my country and I would never turn it down unless there was a valid reason.”

The travelling back and forth on international duty has provided Smith with a bonus in the shape of thousands of Air Miles.

He laughed: “I will be able to have a decent holiday on the Air Miles. By the end of the season I think there should be enough for my girlfriend and I to go somewhere quite exotic.”

Photo: Action Images

shoopdelang added 07:05 - Dec 4 I think it is good that he is getting all this international experience however I do feel the cons out way the pros. He does seems much improved of late though I must say
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shoopdelang added 07:05 - Dec 4 *Out weigh
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bigolconnor added 07:22 - Dec 4 I like that we have an international captain in our team.
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Tractorog added 10:08 - Dec 4 He has the ability to be a good player. He needs to gain experience and confidence. I think being captain of NZ helps more than it hinders, though they need to be playing in a better World Cup qualifying group for the experience to be entirely positive. Flying 3000 miles to draw with China is not exactly learning to play at the higher level than the championship. He did well not to play at Leicester as I doubt the result would have been much different with him in the team.

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SouperJim added 10:45 - Dec 4 Playing for NZ has been a massive factor in making Tommy the player that he is. Yes there are going to be occasions where there is a club vs country conflict, but I don't think they've been that regular.
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walberswick added 11:36 - Dec 4 If Tommy thinks taking 3-4 weeks off each season to go and play Fiji or Samoa will get him to the top in football, he's even stupider than he looks. And he's not even a very good footballer now.
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Maverick_Mitch added 11:50 - Dec 4 Walberswick - agree they're not the highest calibre but it's all valuable experience. Don't know what games you've been watching but TS has been getting better and better. He's played some reslly solid football recently against good quality strikers and has been cutting out the errors.
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MathieandMarshall added 12:14 - Dec 4 constructive critisism there from Walberswick!! Agree with Maverick (although i admit i have always been a fan of Tommy) that he has been playing very well under Mick and the back 4 has looked much more solid lately with him in it.
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TownOnTheUp added 12:42 - Dec 4 I'm sure getting experience against minnows like Italy at the World Cup was totally worthless. Maybe Tommy won't reach the top, but he's a decent player, and international experience can only serve to improve him.
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skhall added 17:33 - Dec 4 He looked solid against Bolton and I really feel that he is benefiting from the International experience. In a few years this will pay off and we could have a very good club captain on our hands. Too many fans look for a quick solution, just as Paul Jewell did in his full season with us by signing Bowyer and the like. Play the long game and look at the rewards 2-3 years down the line

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TimmyH added 20:16 - Dec 4 Thank God! not sure where the Tommy Smith knockers have gone since the last few games - kept them quiet!
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notalwaysblue added 21:08 - Dec 4 Agree Timmy H, Always one though, Walberswick clearly knows very little about football. Smith is a icon to football.
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Sindre94 added 21:39 - Dec 4 His attitude is amazing, not sure on his talent yet though, but we will see
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