The 22-year-old left Etihad Stadium after Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Japan in a moon boot and on crutches after a fine display at left-back.

The Herald Sun reported Smith had bruising in his foot but had been cleared of serious injury.

Despite that, he will miss Saturday’s Premier League clash with Hull City due to the complaint.

"We have a few people returned from international duty with injuries which is disappointing, but I am not going to name names,” Howe said.

"It is one of the perils of when your players go away. They come back and you are not in control of how they return.”

Bournemouth also had Harry Arter, Joshua King, Max Gradel and Artur Boruc away on international duty during the break.

“When players go away in peak physical condition and they don't come back, it is part and parcel of international football,” Howe said.

"When the players go the managers have the right to pick them. These are just injuries picked up in games."

Howe revealed one of those away on international duty had returned with a suspected long-term problem.

Arter and King, along with Smith, have also had recent injuries.

"We are worried about one being more long-term but the others shouldn't be too long,” Howe said.