ALEX SMITHIES’ England fate rests with the physio staff at Town and the Football Association.

The teenage goalkeeping ace is due to link up with the national Under 19 squad for three European Championship elite-round qualifiers this Friday.

But the homegrown star is still battling a shoulder injury, and Clark wants to be sure he is fully recovered.

England face Bosnia at Doncaster on Wednesday, May 27, Slovakia at Bradford on Friday 29 and Scotland at Sheffield United on Monday, June 1.

Success in the mini league would put England through to the eight-strong final stages in Ukraine in July.

“It’s not a serious injury, more of a niggle, and Alex is responding to treatment from Dave Buckby,” reported Clark.

“I totally understand his desire to play international football, and it’s great for the club to be recognised in this way.

“But as the people who pay his wages, I have to put Huddersfield Town first, and we need to have Alex back for pre-season fully fit and rested.

“We will speak to the medical people at the FA later this week and if they want to assess Alex before a final decision is taken, that’s fine.”

The England squad also includes Martin Kelly, the Liverpool defender who was loaned to Town this season and whom Clark would like to return for 2009-10.

Smithies has one Under 19 cap so far.