Post by Taxigirl on Feb 16, 2004 10:50:34 GMT
Alan Smith is determined to repay Sven Goran Eriksson's faith by clinching a place in England's squad for Euro 2004.
The Leeds United firebrand has been recalled to the England fray for Wednesday's friendly against Portugal and is set for his first international appearance since his sending off against Macedonia in October 2002.
Smith was drafted in to the squad for the last friendly against Denmark in November but his arrest for a bottle-throwing incident prompted his swift withdrawal.
The 23-year-old is eager to make up for lost time and is hopeful of staking his claim for a spot in the finals, if he lines up against Portugal in midweek.
"What happened is done," Smith told The Sun. "It was a bit of a mess but Mr Eriksson was very honest with me and promised he would keep me in his thoughts.
"He has done that and now it is down to me to convince him I'm worth a place in the squad for the finals in the summer.
"I know that being picked for this squad doesn't guarantee anything."
Smith's only international goal came against Portugal in a friendly at Villa Park 18 months ago but he feels his club form will dictate whether he is in the set-up for this summer's European Championship.
He added: "If I want to get in the Euro 2004 squad, I've got to do it for Leeds and get us out of the relegation zone.
"We still have a long way to go but, if we can do it, then it should improve my England chances."