Town defender Tommy Smith has been confirmed as captain of New Zealand for their two friendlies in the US. The All Whites are in action against El Salvador in Houston overnight and against Honduras in Dallas on Sunday. Coach Ricki Herbert had been expected to name a more experienced player as regular skipper Ryan Nelsen’s replacement for the two US-based games.

Herbert will appoint a new vice-captain to Nelsen once his squad has arrived in the Solomon Islands for their Oceania Nations Cup matches next week.

The veteran Tottenham centre-half is currently injured and is unavailable for the friendlies and the games in the Solomon Islands, which double as World Cup qualifying matches, meaning his newly-appointed deputy will wear the armband during the tournament.

Smith and West Ham’s Winston Reid, who joins up with the squad after the matches in the US, are candidates for the vice-captaincy.

Photo: Action Images

Story syndicated from TWTD.co.uk

Photo: Action Images

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