Town defender Tommy Smith limped off with a knee injury during the second half of New Zealand's 0-0 friendly draw with Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain overnight.

The Blues defender, who was making his 25th appearance for the All Whites, was replaced in the 64th minute, having also been subbed during the friendly against MLS side Chivas USA on Friday.

Town boss Mick McCarthy will hope the 23-year-old's problem is nothing serious ahead of Saturday's home game against Burnley.

Meanwhile, Mexico were confirmed in fourth in the CONCACAF qualifying group after losing 2-1 to Costa Rica and are therefore the All Whites’ opponents in next month’s two-legged play-off for a place at next summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

The New Zealanders will travel to the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City for the first leg, which is expected to be watched by a crowd of 105,000, on November 14th with the second leg at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington on November 20th.

Photo: Action Images

Dowson added 14:13 - Oct 16 uh-oh
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Gobbs69 added 14:31 - Oct 16 Why did they play him in the second friendly, if he got injured in the first.
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Brazilsnuts added 14:57 - Oct 16 Chambo back in the centre then I assume Hewitt is the next in line for right back?
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Wallingford_Boy added 15:46 - Oct 16 Assume he won't even return to Ipswich until late tomorrow, so will be assessed day before the match. NO CHANCE of playing.
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muhrensleftfoot added 16:42 - Oct 16 It's always risky when your players go away on international duty. I doesn't look too hopeful for saturday. Fortunately we have good cover, in that Berra is naturally left sided anyway, Chambers can go back to the centre, and Hewitt can come in at right-back.
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blueboy1981 added 17:40 - Oct 16 ..... back to square pegs in square holes again, which is no bad thing, all they have to be is up to the task.
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SouperJim added 17:58 - Oct 16 Hate to see Tommy drop out, but as said above, it might turn out to be a good thing if it forces us to play with a right back at right back.
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TractorBeezer added 18:40 - Oct 16 Hope they bought him a first class ticket so he can stretch his leg
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TimmyH added 20:11 - Oct 16 up to now he's been pretty injury free but knee problems don't go away quickly once you've 'tweaked' it, fingers crossed.
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warbeat78 added 21:50 - Oct 16 ,Feel sorry for t smith but at least now we are starting to have very capable replacements get well soon tommy
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Hockley added 22:43 - Oct 16 Straight swap - Tyrone Mings for Tommy?
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shoopdelang added 03:08 - Oct 17 I know sometimes New Zealand play against good teams and it can be good experience. But I think the cons out weigh the pros when it comes to him playing for them
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Keaneish added 08:28 - Oct 17 Hockley - i think Mings played there in some pre-season games so i wouldn't be too surprised although the automatic choice is Chambers and Hewitt in at RB i guess.
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ITFCGlenn added 10:57 - Oct 17 I'd love to see Mings get a run out if smith is injured but i can see chambo coming back in alongside Berra and Hewitt at RB
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