Fowler praise for Smith

Fowler has been impressed with the forward manager Terry Venables is likely to team him with in Leeds' attack and he believes Smith will gain a regular spot with England in spite of recent disciplinary problems.

"I think Alan Smith has been magnificent this year and there is little doubt that he deserves to be playing for England," Fowler told Yorkshire Today.

"I think he has probably been Leeds's best player this season.

"The way he played against Portugal in that friendly at Villa Park was proof that he is ready for the international stage. I would have started him in Slovakia for the European Championship match, but then again I am not the manager and Sven Goran Eriksson went for Emile Heskey and Michael Owen.

"When Alan got his chance against Macedonia I felt he played really well again but unfortunately he was sent off.

"He can bounce back from that sort of thing. He is a quality player and one who deserves to be representing his country."




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