Post by Taxigirl on Feb 13, 2004 11:23:53 GMT
United striker Alan Smith believes he can get his England career back on track again after being returned to his favored position, up front.
The 23-year-old is expected to receive a call up for next week's friendly against Portugal in Faro, and will be set to play his first game for England since his infamous sending off against Macedonia at St Mary's.
In the long term he is targeting this summer's European Championship finals in Portugal, and is keen to get a chance in the upcoming friendlies against the Portuguese, Sweden, Japan and Iceland.
Smith has missed the past 11 England games but had been called up to play against Denmark last November - until a dramatic sequence of events saw him return to Leeds before the game amidst the furore of his actions when he threw an empty bottle back into the crowd at Elland Road against Manchester United.
England manager Sven Goran Eriksson watched his, and keeper Paul Robinson's, performance against Wolves on Tuesday night and is understood to have been suitably impressed after seeing him put in what was undoubtedly one of his best performances of the season.
His first goal since November will have helped his selection claims.
Smith is hoping that his return to a striking position alongside Mark Viduka will provide the platform he needs to get to Portugal.
"It's nice to play upfront together, it's the first time for a while," said Alan.
"I love playing there but I've played a lot in midfield this season. I missed out on the World Cup through playing there and I've had to play there again this season, but hopefully I have proved I can play up front again and hopefully 'Vidukes' and I can help to keep us in the Premiership.
"when you don't play upfront people come up and say you haven't scored for this many games, what's wrong? But they don't realise you've played ten games or so in midfield.
"It's great to get a goal again, that's what I'm there for. Let's hope me and Vidukes can stay together all season now."
England ambitions aside, Smith's first concern has always been Leeds, and with his reformed partnership with Aussie ace Mark Viduka clicking, it's given fresh hope for the Premiership survival campaign.
"We got ourselves into this position in the first place, so only we can get ourselves out of it," said Smith.
"We have lads in that dressing room who can keep us in The Premiership. And, if we can end up doing that, we can be heroes in this city.
"If we play like we did against Wolves for the rest of the season we won't do too badly at all."
www.leedsunited.com/player.asp?plid=999&title=Alan+Smith&CLID=2&navlid=players
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