Smith picked up serious injury playing for Australia against Syria in the World Cup qualifiers last November.

The leg complaint put him out action for months and then the left back was overlooked for selection by Bert van Marwijk in May.

Smith admits not going on the plane to Russia was "devastating".

"I think I’d played through all of the qualification,” Smith told SB Nation.

"I loved every minute of that. To go on and miss the World Cup was devastating for me, personally. I love representing my country.

"That is the biggest stage that you want to go to and it hurt me not to go, but at the same time I understood why I didn’t go because I wasn’t playing football.”

Last month Smith moved on loan from Bournemouth to MLS club Seattle Sounders.

The fullback has quickly made his mark in America, recording two assists in his first three games.

Smith is enjoying being back on the field and hasn't entirely given up hope of a national team call-up for the Asian Cup.

"For me, I’m focusing on playing football because I haven’t played enough football in my career," he said.

"I’ve been in some big clubs and I’ve played in some big games, especially at Liverpool, but I need to play games and to help the team do well in this season and next season as well.

"I’m here, I’m playing regularly and I’m really enjoying it. If the Australia stuff comes back around for the Asia Cup I’d be delighted to be a part of it again."