Alan Smith is prepared to play through the pain barrier in order to help England to Euro 2008 qualification.
Forward playing through the pain
Alan Smith is prepared to play through the pain barrier in order to help England to Euro 2008 qualification.
The Newcastle United forward has been struggling with a knee ligament problem since playing Derby in the Premier League in September, but he is adamant it will not stop him representing his country.
England, who are already without the injured Emile Heskey, Andy Johnson and Dean Ashton, face Estonia at Wembley on Saturday and then travel to Russia four days later in a crunch qualifying double-header.
Smith, though, was forced to sit out England training on Tuesday as he received treatment on the injury - but he insists he will be ready for action if required.
"I've had a bit of a knee problem since the Derby game," Smith told the Newcastle Chronicle. "I'm going to go with England and get assessed.
"I'll go down there, get some treatment and see what they say. It's strained ligaments. I can play, so I'm all right!"
