Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho will not be "overly fussed" over Jan Vertonghen's availability for the remainder of the season, says Alan Smith.
The long-serving centre-back appears certain to leave Tottenham this summer when his contract expires, bringing an end to his eight-year stay at the club.
Vertonghen is out of contract on June 30 but Spurs have offered him a deal for the remaining nine matches of the extended campaign.
Under new Premier League rules, clubs should negotiate temporary extensions with out-of-contract players by June 23 and there is optimism that Vertonghen will play on, although nothing has been agreed.
"Vertonghen is 33 years of age and his best form is behind him," Smith told Sky Sports. "We saw that in the latter stages of this season so Jose Mourinho won't be overly fussed if he's not available and if his mind is elsewhere."
Smith believes, like all players with imminently expiring contracts, Vertonghen will have one eye on his next club.
He added: "We've got to think that most of these players who are out of contract, certainly the most attractive ones to other clubs, they'll have half an idea at least over where they're going to go and who's interested.
"You could understand if they don't want to jeopardise that move. Vertonghen's situation is obviously different to a 22-year-old who hasn't yet had a career or made his money.
"Vertonghen just wants to elongate his career, maybe in another country - he's spoken about learning another language. Only the individual can answer, but I suspect he won't want to ruin a potential move coming up by playing in a few games.
"He's got one of the best attitudes around - we've seen that over a number of years in England - but at this stage, you're thinking about yourself and your family if you get injured."
