Former Wellington Phoenix and All White defender Ben Sigmund believes controversial All Whites defender Tommy Smith is genuinely sorry for the situation that saw him blacklisted by All Whites coach Anthony Hudson.
Speaking to Andrew Gourde and Michelle Pickles on Radio LIVE's Sunday Sport, Sigmund said he could tell Smith felt bad about the situation, but now he has to show his loyalty to the national side.
"From I can gather and what he was saying, it comes across like he is sorry," said Sigmund
"Certainly if it was me, you wouldn't say all that for no reason. If that is the case you have to welcome him back and give him another chance at the jersey.
"But he will have to show lots of loyalty and come back for all the games."
Now that Smith has publicly admitted that he takes full responsibility for the entire situation, Sigmund says he needs to show it and want it more than anything, and not make excuses.
"He has put his hand up and he said he needs to be better," said Sigmund. "He's put all his cards out on the table, so there are no excuses now for him.
"The communication thing is no excuse with all the technology nowadays. The big question is, will he come back for all these qualification games against the Solomon Islands and Fiji?"
When asked if Smith is needed in the team, Sigmund seemed hesitant to bring the 26-year old back into the squad after the way the All Whites performed against Mexico and USA.
Sigmund was also feeling sorry for the player who misses out if Smith returns, as he went through the exact same thing back in 2010 in the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
"At this stage after watching the last two games against Mexico and the USA I would have said no, but the big thing is, who gets left out after all the hard work they have done, who is the unlucky one?" said Sigmund.
"I was the unlucky one at the World Cup for the exact same situation when Smith and Reid came in as a player. It is really hard to swallow. It affected me for a long time.
"If Hudson has backed it and Smith is back in, I hope it never happens again because somebody is going to miss out."
If Smith is welcomed back, it is most likely Andrew Durante or Michael Boxall will miss out.
Tommy Smith is currently injured and won't be available for the All Whites' next two matches against New Caledonia in November.
To hear the full interview, click on the video above.
Newshub.
