When Will Smallbone was selected to start for Ireland against Latvia few could have envisioned just how excellent a performance he was about to deliver. It's therefore no surprise that his current club side, Stoke City, are keen to secure his loan services again for next season.
Smallbone won the 'Player of the match' award for his display and played key roles in Ireland's first two goals in their 3-2 victory. His recent career at club level has been impressive too and he finally feels like his luck is beginning to turn.
Speaking to The Athletic the midfielder said, "this is my first full season of playing football. I’ve really enjoyed playing week in, week out and finding a way to get myself fit and through games. That was something I needed to prove to other people — but to myself more importantly. I needed to prove mentally I could stay fit because I always just seemed to be breaking down.
