Sunderland leave the door open for Tommy Smith to return as defender attracts interest

Tommy Smith has spoken out on his Sunderland exit – and has revealed that Stewart Donald has left the door open for a potential return to the Stadium of Light.
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Smith penned a short-term deal with the Black Cats in February as cover for the injured Bailey Wright, but failed to make a competitive appearance for the club before football was halted in early March.

With the League One season looking increasingly unlikely to continue, Smith was informed late last week that he would not see his contract extended. It’s a decision the New Zealand international understands given the current uncertainty in the third tier – with clubs putting their plans for the new season on hold as they await an EFL verdict.

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But while Smith will be leaving the club for now, the idea of a potential return was floated by chairman Donald during his exit talks.

Tommy Smith says the door has been left open for a potential return to SunderlandTommy Smith says the door has been left open for a potential return to Sunderland
Tommy Smith says the door has been left open for a potential return to Sunderland

“It was just really bad timing and unfortunately I'd only signed a short-term deal," said the 30-year-old of his exit, speaking to the NZ Herald.

"Clubs in League One don't know when games are going ahead again so the chairman said he wasn't going to exercise any extension which is fair enough, so I knew that was coming.

"But he also said I might be looked at again in the future once things are a bit clearer moving forward.”

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Smith now finds himself in a state of limbo. He is unable to sign for a new club until June 10 at the earliest and, while he has received tentative interest from a number of clubs, concrete decisions are unlikely to be made in the short-term.

“I've had a little bit of interest both in the UK and abroad but I think clubs are holding fire on making those decisions until they know what's going to be happening, (firstly) with this season and (secondly) when next season is going to be scheduled and that isn't even clear yet,” he added.

"So I'm in limbo a bit at the moment but all I can do is keep myself fit and be ready to take the next chance wherever that may be. I've got a lot left in me yet."