Town defender Tommy Smith could be named New Zealand’s captain as successor to QPR's Ryan Nelsen, who has announced that he will retire from playing when he takes over as head coach at Toronto FC at the start of February. Smith has skippered the All Whites when Nelsen - who replaces Blues legend Paul Mariner at the MLS side - has been absent since the end of last season.

Coach Ricki Herbert is yet to make a decision and is weighing up his options, which include Smith, West Ham centre-half Winston Reid and Andrew Durante, an Australian central defender who captains the Wellington Phoenix and who is currently in the process of switching allegiance to his adopted country.

Herbert said: "Tommy's had a go at it and I think that's important. I think Winston comes well into the mix and, like I say, who knows with Andrew.

“There's a bit of red tape to go yet but I think they'd be three very strong contenders to lead the side in a very good way. A very strong way."

Smith has paid tribute to Nelsen on Twitter: "Gutted that Nelly has retired from international football. Will be sorely missed on and off the pitch. Great player, great leader and most of all a great person.

"I wish him all the best in what I'm sure will be a very successful managerial career."

Smith, 22, has won 21 full caps for the country he qualifies for having lived there between the ages of eight and 16, and also appeared at last summer's Olympics for their U23 side.

Meanwhile, former Blues loan keeper Stephen Henderson has been named in a provisional Republic of Ireland squad for a friendly with Poland next month. Henderson, who has said he would like to return to Town having recently ended a three-month loan spell, is yet to win a full cap.

Elsewhere, rumours circulating last night claiming that Charlton had agreed a fee with Colchester for Blues target Anthony Wordsworth appear to have no basis.

Photo: Action Images

King_of_Portman_Rd added 10:04 - Jan 23 Fair lay to him, he's certainly proved a lot of people wrong with his performances this season and has a very bright future ahead of him. His jaunts across the world to play International football have had mixed responses but I can only see it as a good thing, particularly as skipper as he will be getting the level of experience that he wouldn't be getting with Town. That said I would probably plump for Reid as skipper if I were to chose but Tommy has certainly proved himself as a very worthy and capable candidate

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coyb99 added 10:24 - Jan 23 Well done Tommy, would also be nice to have an international captain in our team!
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JewellintheTown added 10:25 - Jan 23 Happy for Tommy if he becomes skipper for NZ as long as it doesnt affect his attitude/ performance here. By that I mean captaining your country and leading then switching to playing for your club and being told what to do can be miles apart if you let it, even as a professional. Hope it doesnt go to his head as that would be a shame for both club and player. Otherwise, good luck and well done to him if he gets it permanently and hope it helps us both for the experience.

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Michael11 added 10:32 - Jan 23 Go for it Tommy, you never know in a few years you could be club captain and international captain!
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Guthrum added 10:32 - Jan 23 Good experience and will help him grow as a player, as long as the travelling doesn't become a distraction. Quite a feather in Town's cap to have an international Captain in the team, as coyb99 said. Potential future Captain of ITFC as well?
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walberswick added 10:44 - Jan 23 he'll never amount to anything if he spends a months of the season on long haul planes
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leroygibbs added 11:03 - Jan 23 Rock on Tommy!!!!!!!!!
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irishtim added 11:42 - Jan 23 Have to say Tommy you are improving all the time. Reckon you will be a major player for us in the years to come. Would be nice to see you become captain at both club & international level.
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ThatMuhrenCross added 12:59 - Jan 23 A new winger needs to be signed, Carlos Edwards benched, and Tommy Smith made captain.
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petermorris added 14:02 - Jan 23 There are sometimes comments on here that I genuinely don't understand. For example, walberswick's "he'll never amount to anything if he spends a months of the season on long haul planes". Firstly, Tommy Smith doesn't spend 'MONTHS' a year on planes. A few days per year perhaps, but not months. And, Tommy Smith HAS 'amounted' to something - at 23 years old he's being considered for: Captain of the New Zealand National Football Team. And even better than that, probably one day Captain of ITFC...

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leroygibbs added 14:07 - Jan 23 some people take posts so serious, peter morris chill man and get a life.
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ABO1itfc added 14:11 - Jan 23 Yeah Pete (petermorris) If i start taking your picture of a chimp seriously, i mate have to report you for animal discrimination
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ABO1itfc added 14:34 - Jan 23 OI LEROY I THINK SOMEBODY DOESNT LIKE OUR COMMENTS COUGH COUGH petermorris
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battyblue added 14:52 - Jan 23 gone very quite on the Wordsworth front guess its not going to happen defiantly need someone creative with pace before the window closes or we will continue to struggle to score goals but hopefully MM has something up his sleeve
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petermorris added 15:00 - Jan 23 leroygibbs n ABO1 - oi relly loik yor coments - 'mate have to report me' heh ABO? Don't understand that one either - but keep trying lads.
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walberswick added 15:32 - Jan 23 sorry peter, should have said, he'll never amount to anything if he spends a month of the season on long haul flights
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ABO1itfc added 15:39 - Jan 23 Peter Morris que eres más que un montón de paja
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footyblue added 16:05 - Jan 23 I think personally he will be town Captain next season and good luck to him
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petermorris added 16:34 - Jan 23 No I'm not. Hasn't school finished yet?
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ABO1itfc added 16:38 - Jan 23 Dont know buddy still at work, you biking home? your picture is a mug shot from the speed camera on the A12 near woodbridge
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RaymondovicBlue added 17:23 - Jan 23 Personally think that when Tommy was being slated on here his trips abroad to play for and Captain his country were just the confidence boosters that made him our number one defender now. We have a rising star in Tommy Smith
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petermorris added 19:06 - Jan 23 ASBO1itfc - you so funny you should try Stand Up. Who is 'buddy'?
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Sindre94 added 19:11 - Jan 23 tommy could be a huge player for us some day, hopefully he will keep improving
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Talbs77 added 19:13 - Jan 23 Time to make the boy captain at the club. He's the future and has been an absolute revelation since MM arrived. Could become a top player if he keeps improving.
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TimmyH added 19:29 - Jan 23 Never doubted the lad...when a few on here did! Top player in the making.
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