Credit: SWPIX.COMHARRY Smith is ready to copy his Everton hero Leighton Baines by booting England to Ashes victory.
The Wigan half back will be brought into the halves as Shaun Wane’s men bid to keep the Test series alive.
Harry Smith is ready to follow in the footsteps of his Everton hero and help England to Ashes victory.Credit: SWPIX.COM
It means he steps out at Hill Dickinson Stadium, home of the club he, his father and his grandfather loves.
Smith is such a Toffees follower, he admits he still has a couple of their shirts.
And once he steps out tomorrow, he is out to follow in his idol’s footsteps.
Smith said: “Playing at Everton definitely adds something for me, it’s amazing.
“But if this was Newcastle or any Premier League team, it’s just unbelievable to be able to play on this stage and show the sport in this light.
“My grandad and my dad are both Everton fans, so I had no other option really.
“When I first actually started watching them, they were pretty decent. It was when David Moyes was in charge and we had the likes of Tim Cahill, Leon Osman, Sylvain Distin, Phil Jagielka and Seamus Coleman.
“But my favourite was Leighton Baines because he was a left-footer. I’m a left footer and when I played football for school, I was a left-back. I could see myself playing left-back if I ever played football.
“Just tackling and kicking the ball along. I managed to watch a friendly at the new stadium and I was meant to go to a Carabao Cup game, but it didn’t work out with my dad.
“And I have a shirt. I’ve got two actually. Last year’s one and a vintage one.”
Jack Welsby is the headline change for Everton as he has been dropped, meaning AJ Brimson – 18th man at Wembley – is in line for his debut.
Boss Shaun Wane has made changes after the first Test lossCredit: SWPIX.COM
Ethan Havard has also paid the price, while John Bateman’s ankle problem means Morgan Smithies, Smith and Kallum Watkins come into the 19-man squad.
His inclusion in what is technically a 19-man squad will see him link up in the halves with skipper George Williams as England look to avenge Saturday’s 26-6 defeat.
And the 25-year-old admits getting back together – after helping England whitewash Tonga and Samoa – is something to look forward to.
He added: “To play on this stage for your country against Australia, It’s probably the biggest game I’ll have been involved in so far.
Smith will come into the halves alongside George WilliamsCredit: SWPIX.COM
“Shaun just wants me to come in and be myself, play the way I play, control the game, own field position, control the team and let our threats get the ball when they need it.
“We just let them have it their own way and didn’t really get control of the game. If we can do that better, especially at the start of the game, it can hopefully help us get on the right side of the result.
“I really enjoy playing alongside George. We’ve done it for the last two or three years and we complement each other really well.
“He likes to run the ball, show up on every side, all over the pitch and create chances. I like to control the team, control the middle of the field and just give him the ball when he wants it.”
