Brentford have snapped up Tommy Smith on a month's loan after seeing Pim Balkestein return to Ipswich.
Smith looking to boost World Cup prospects
Brentford have snapped up Tommy Smith on a month's loan from Ipswich Town after seeing Pim Balkestein return to Portman Road.
Balkestein was recalled by Ipswich last week and his Town team-mate Smith has now headed to Griffin Park for the next month.
Town boss Roy Keane confirmed earlier in the week that he was looking to send the teenage defender out on loan to build up his first-team experience.
Smith has made 10 appearances for Ipswich so far this season, but he has not featured for Keane's improving side since late October.
He is keen to play regular football to boost his prospects of claiming a place in New Zealand's World Cup squad and Brentford boss Andy Scott is happy to have landed the 19-year-old.
"Tommy's another player who we have been keeping an eye on for some while and is a player with a lot of potential," Scott told the club's official website.
"We hope his time with us will help him fulfil the promise he has shown previously and in turn help him with his ambitions to represent New Zealand in the World Cup finals this summer."
