Smith has recently returned from over a year out with a broken leg sustained during an FA Cup match against Liverpool in February last year but has been working his way back to fitness playing in the FA Cup final as well as the Chapions Leauge quarter final.
McClaren believes the fact that Smith can play in both a striking role - as he did at Leeds and does now for Manchetsre United - and as a holding midfielder - as Ferguson tried to train him for- could prove integral as a part of his team. It was, in fact, as a midfielder that Smith made his last apperance for England against Poland in October 2005.
Smith will also be a useful personality off the pitch as he is known as a lifter of spirts as well as being a hard tackler. The winning spirit that he has picked up in his brief season is exactly what England need at the moment.
The spur of picking Smith may of come from when McClaren sat in the stands to watch Smith score a bnrace of goals in Manchester United's 7-1 demolition of Roma and after consultation with Ferguson McClaren was convinced he was worth that risk.
Smith's return to the England fold will, however, be largely overlooked by the media due to the fact that Owen and Beckham also make their return to the squad after lengthly and noticeable abscences.
Beckham put in another sparkling performance for Real Madrid against Deprtivo last night as he aims to force his way back into the first XI. |
