HE might not have been able to play his part after elevating himself into Paul Jewell’s starting line-up.

But Town defender Tommy Smith has every chance of appearing in the London Olympics after New Zealand’s Under-23s achieved qualification yesterday with a 1-0 win over Fiji.

Smith had revealed earlier this year that Jewell had told him he could not play in the qualifiers due to the amount of matches Ipswich had in March – and the fact he has pushed past Ibrahima Sonko in the central-defensive pecking order.

But on the weekend Ipswich’s faint play-off dream all but died at Vicarage Road, Smith at least had something to celebrate after the Oly Whites’ narrow victory.

Writing on Twitter this morning, Smith, who is expected to make the final squad, said: “Well done boys! #London2012 here we come!”

According to New Zealand Football, the side are hoping to have their selection for the New Zealand Olympic team ratified as early as next week.

New Zealand have become the 13th team to qualify for the 16-nation men’s football event.

Town’s American keeper Cody Cropper appears to have an outside chance of playing in London 2012 should the US progress from the Concacaf qualifying section.