Soccer: All Whites target Ipswich defender

Ipswich defender Tommy Smith. Photo / Supplied

Ipswich defender Tommy Smith, who is just 19, has emerged as the first new target for Ricki Herbert's World Cup soccer squad.

Herbert emailed the young defender this week and if Smith aligns himself with the All Whites rather than England, his birthplace, he will be included in the 23-man squad for South Africa.

New Zealand can offer the youngster the ultimate football carrot - a place on the sport's highest stage. Smith has dual qualification and has until the age of 21 to decide which country he wants to represent. He may now feel that holding on for a place in the England squad is a risky longshot compared with a guaranteed role in South Africa next year.

Smith played for England juniors after rejecting New Zealand. He was born in Macclesfield, south of Manchester, but the family emigrated in 1998 and he spent his schoolboy years in New Zealand, attending Westlake Boys High and figuring in national soccer programmes.

The 186cm Smith is a left-sided defender, the position taken up by comeback veteran Ivan Vicelich in the All Whites' nail-biting two-leg victory over Bahrain which secured the World Cup finals spot.

Vicelich and Ben Sigmund played marking roles, with outstanding Blackburn central defender and national captain Ryan Nelsen sweeping.

"Tommy would be a great addition to the squad," Herbert said yesterday. "To be able to bring in someone playing at championship level in England where we've also got Chris Wood and Rory Fallon is a real bonus. It would also be a big boost because we don't have many left-sided players to choose from.

"There are processes and Tommy would have to initiate some things from his side if he agrees to join us. I haven't heard back from him yet but I'm hopeful."

Smith's only comments have emphasised his desire to cement a first-team place with Ipswich, who play a division below the high-profile premier league.

"I have not thought about the international side of my game yet," he told the club's website.

A broken ankle limited his appearances to just two in his debut season for Ipswich, whose manager is the legendary and controversial Roy Keane.

Smith has played in half of Ipswich's 20 matches this season. The club is near the bottom of the championship - just above Fallon's Plymouth Argyle - after going winless in their first 14 games. At the under-17 World Cup in Korea two years ago, he made one early appearance for England, who reached the quarter-finals.

The 18 All Whites players from the squad who played Bahrain are virtually guaranteed a trip to South Africa. Suspended goalkeeper Glen Moss will travel, as will Smith if he wants to, leaving three spots to fill.