Smith puts past problems behind him

Alan Smith expressed his hope that he has repaid Sven-Goran Eriksson for the faith shown in him as he set his sights on winning a place in England’s final Euro 2004 squad.

The Leeds striker still has an uphill battle to secure a spot in the 23-man squad, with the likes of Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney, Emile Heskey and Darius Vassell still ahead of him in the rankings.