The Swede has long been an admirer of Smith, who at one stage last year was named by Eriksson as one of five stars he believed had a bright future at international level.

Smith’s worrying disciplinary record, though, has given Eriksson cause for concern this season.

The 21-year-old has been sent off twice, and there could yet be further problems looming on the horizon.

Smith, who this weekend completes a five-match domestic suspension, faces a hearing on March 14 into a charge of violent conduct following an incident with Graeme Le Saux in Leeds’ Worthington Cup defeat to Chelsea three months ago.

If he is found guilty it will mean another three-match suspension which would commence with immediate effect and lead to Smith missing Barclaycard Premiership games against Blackburn, Leicester and Manchester United.

Players are not allowed to serve their country while serving a ban, so critically for Smith he would also be ruled out of England’s friendly with Italy at Elland Road on March 27 - and with it would go his last chance of forcing his way into Eriksson’s squad for this summer’s World Cup.

Nothing would give Smith greater pleasure than to run out in an England shirt at a ground where he is worshipped, although he realises he may yet be robbed of such a glorious opportunity.

‘‘I was obviously disappointed when I heard the FA had charged me,’’ said Smith.

‘‘It means another hearing, which I really don’t need. I know they are building up but I’m keeping my fingers crossed on this one.

‘‘I’m praying it the charge is overturned because England is still in the back of my mind.

‘‘I know the manager Eriksson isn’t going to pick someone who isn’t playing games - and I’ve not been playing enough games to be in his mind.

‘‘I am disappointed by the FA for that, and if I get another domestic ban then that will kill my dreams of playing against Italy at Elland Road.’’

There is a potential get-out clause for Smith because the date of the hearing, one Mark Viduka is also due to attend following his elbow against Martin Keown in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal a month ago, falls on the same date as the first leg of the UEFA Cup quarter-final.

If Leeds complete their fourth-round task against PSV next Thursday then the hearing will face a further postponement there have been two already - with a new date likely to be after England’s visit to Elland Road.

Smith, who is able to start in European games because of Robbie Fowler’s ineligibility, feels Leeds can progress.

‘‘No matter what happens in these hearings when I do go out and play football I just forget all about them,’’ added Smith, who was confident of overturning his red card in the FA Cup defeat against Cardiff last month only for his plea to fall on deaf ears.

‘‘It was just nice to get out and play because every game is important to me. I really wanted to play against PSV,’’ he said.

‘‘Even though I had played 90 minutes in the reserves on Tuesday, the gaffer knew I needed it and last night I felt sharp.

‘‘I’ve now one game left of my domestic suspension. There is competition for places, but with performances like last night I hope I can stay in the team.

‘‘Certainly it’s important we stay in the UEFA Cup because I need to be playing, and if we win next week then it means I can continue to play. I feel we can reach the last eight.

‘‘It will have reminded anybody watching of the way we played in the Champions League last season, the way we soaked up pressure and looked dangerous on the counter-attack. I think we showed we are good enough.’’

Like Smith, who was playing his first game for nearly six weeks, Danny Mills and Lee Bowyer also returned from domestic bans and played as boss David O’Leary had demanded.

‘‘When a manager picks the team I don’t feel you have a point to prove, but he wanted us to be controlled,’’ added Smith.

‘‘Every player on a domestic suspension who came in proved they can go out on a big European stage and behave themselves in a proper manner.’’

Fowler, Gary Kelly and David Batty should all return to the starting line-up for Sunday’s visit of Charlton in the absence of Smith, Mills and Bowyer.