Town centre-half Tommy Smith threatened international retirement during the club-versus-country row ahead of New Zealand’s World Cup play-off against Mexico last month, according to the New Zealand Herald.

The All Whites, who lost the two legged play-off 9-3 on aggregate, strictly enforced FIFA rules which meant that Smith was unable to play in Town’s game at Blackpool on November 9th and make their LA training camp before a midnight deadline.

The 23-year-old, who ultimately skippered the side in both legs, is said to have felt that there was no need for him to arrive for duty five days prior to the first game in Mexico City.

Smith reportedly suggested he would pull out of the All Whites squad if he wasn’t allowed to play for Town and even went as far as to threaten international retirement before relenting.

A-League side Wellington Phoenix, who had six players in the squad, also took issue with the policy before coming to a compromise with New Zealand Football.

Smith has won 27 full caps, scoring two goals, and represented the All Whites at the 2010 World Cup and played for their U23 side at the 2012 Olympics.

Meanwhile, Wolves have opened talks with former Blues loanee Richard Stearman regarding an extension to his contract, which is up at the end of the season.

"He is in his final year and he's a player we're very interested in going forwards with in the future," manager Kenny Jackett said.

"He's had a good season so far and, as a club, we're aware of the situation and we've discussed it."

Blues boss Mick McCarthy is a big fan of the right-back or centre-half and may be interested in a January approach for the 26-year-old should no agreement be reached with his current club having been priced out of a move in the summer.

Photo: Action Images

bluemingood added 20:39 - Dec 9 Smithy is a plonker...but I love him!
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cromwellblue added 20:53 - Dec 9 Fuel on the Stearman fire at the end of this article. Said it before and now again, not needed. We gave Chambers + 2 right backs at the club and the option to use Edwards. No need to pay for another. Midfielders capable of ball retention and creativity has more priority.
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bluemingood added 21:01 - Dec 9 Cromwell... You do not need fuel! You are self sufficient!
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bluemingood added 21:08 - Dec 9 Can anybody tell me why Cromwell died?
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spanishblue added 21:43 - Dec 9 I would love to see spearman at right back Chambers is not an out & out right back .centre back terrific but a fill in full back .And his commitment is 100% do anything asked of him I want him as a centre back. Hope he has a good game Saturday
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Robbie12345 added 21:53 - Dec 9 Spanishblue- Would you really replace chambers with Berra (a Scotland international) or Smith (New Zealand international)?? Berra has been playing really really well since joining ITFC. Also, Stearman isn't a out and out right-back, and in my opinion isn't significantly better than Chambers there. However much I want to see Stearman back in a Ipswich shirt, we have 3 maybe 4 right-back covers and it wouldn't be right for us at the moment, but maybe in a few years time.

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thebeat added 22:17 - Dec 9 We saw on Saturday especially in the first half that Chambers is not a right back. He was ripped to pieces and it cost us a goal. Hes a great centre half and his partnership with Tommy 2nd half of last season was the best in the division. As good as Berra has played the partnership isnt as good. Sometimes you have to make a big call like this. Stearman is a better right back than Chambers. Id love to see him come back, the defence would be stronger and that can only be a good thing. And if we get an injury we'd have great cover in Berra

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matty81 added 22:38 - Dec 9 Stearman was the best right back we have had at the club in years and was a huge influence in our survival last season so I for one would welcome him with open arms. Berra has been playing well but you could argue that Smith and Chambers are a better central partnership due to the number of clean sheets they kept last season.
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Sebbo added 00:45 - Dec 10 Im hoping that if the negotiations fail between Stearman and Wolves that Mick has it in his armoury to look into a pre-contract agreement... even though younger than 24, could be a very shrewd bit of business from our point of view in terms of fee
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BluePG added 07:36 - Dec 10 Phil, without wishing to sound too sycophantic, this is what makes TWTD so superb. Can't see too many fan sites picking up what is written in the New Zealand Herald.
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shoopdelang added 13:14 - Dec 10 Obviously chambers is a center back and not a full back. Although I don't think Saturdays performance was entirely his fault remember we played 433 so he was left more exposed than he would be in a 442 etc.
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SouperJim added 13:16 - Dec 10 Stearman is a better right back than anyone we have at the club and would improve us if we could get him. End of.
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Seasider added 16:25 - Dec 10 Bearing in mind financial problems starting to re emerge think it is unlikely can afford him,and of course players will not be so keen to come to a club that is struggling to pay its bills.
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Fatcatevans added 16:28 - Dec 10 Cromwell. None of the four options you mention come close to Stearman! Sign him and then have great cover at centre back with Chambers Smith and Smith.
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cromwellblue added 19:17 - Dec 10 Fatcatevans, we can debate that for a longtime, personally Hewitt (when fit) would be my choice. Has looked capable but not given fair crack. What we can't do is spend money we do not have on players for a position for which we have 4 or 5 options already.
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Arnie added 11:04 - Dec 11 Competion for places must benefit the team. We have 3 really good centre halves and as there will inevitably be injuries, suspensions, occasional international call-ups perhaps, let them fight it out for the starting 11 and the one not playing awaits their chance and then grabs it. I still think we need a specialised RB and my preferred centre back pairing is Chambers & Smith which seemed to work well last year. Tough on Berra but you can't play everyone. Although, that said we have 3 wins in a row......

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