Eric Smith
St. PauliCB (CM)
Driving Centre Back
Jan 8, 1997 (29)
Right
6'4"
190 lb
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Hopeful to face Japan
Smith (undisclosed) is set for testing ahead of Thursday's match against Japan and remains hopeful to be an option, according to press manager Petra Thoren and manager Graham Potter, per Maximilian Damm of SvenskaFans.com. "Eric will increase the load with our physio and will be tested before tomorrow." "He will hopefully be available for the match against Japan."
Analysis: Smith is still working on his return from an undisclosed injury, as the defender continues to train with the collective group after originally training individually. The hope is that he will be available as he remains a late call, needing to pass his final testing to be an option after the injury He still has yet to play a minute this World Cup, and with his fitness still under assessment, it is more than likely he will start on the bench if fit.
Doubt for Netherlands clash
Smith missed collective training in Houston ahead of the Netherlands match after feeling discomfort in Thursday's session and is now training individually, with his availability still uncertain, according to Sportsbladet.
Analysis: Smith has been forced to withdraw from several national team camps due to injury in recent months and now faces another fitness concern ahead of the match against the Netherlands. The midfielder picked up a knock during Thursday's closed training session in Dallas and worked individually on Friday, missing the collective session in Houston the day before the game. Press manager Petra Thoren stopped short of ruling him out, confirming the medical team will assess him on Saturday morning before a final decision is made.
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