Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy says he no longer wants to be considered for England duty and wishes to focus his time on his club career.
The 32-year-old, who featured at the World Cup in Russia, said he had spoken to England manager Gareth Southgate about his decision but remained available to help should the team face injury problems.
“To be honest with you, this has been on my mind for a while,” Vardy told the Guardian.
BREAKING: Jamie Vardy has told Gareth Southgate he wants to focus on his club career but is willing to play for @England in exceptional circumstances #SSN pic.twitter.com/jGa3QYlxI6
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 28, 2018
“I’m not getting any younger and you can see, to be fair to the gaffer, he wants to make it more youthful, which obviously had its benefits during the World Cup – we got to the semi-finals and finished fourth, which is equal to the furthest we have ever been on foreign soil.
"So I just said to Gareth that I think it’s probably best from now on, especially with the way he wants to go, to bring youngsters in who he thinks have got the ability and start nurturing them into international football," he said.
Jamie Vardy is stepping aside from international football.
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 28, 2018
Full story?https://t.co/KYzOV39CzR pic.twitter.com/YqvZj4QRhm
Vardy was restricted to the bench for most of the World Cup in Russia and said his lack of playing time had influenced his decision.
"When you get selected, you want to be playing. If you’re playing week in, week out for your club, you want to be going to England to play as well. And if it’s not happening, then for me personally now it’s better to be at home, spending that time with my family and training with my club, preparing for the next game after the international break.
“I thought I could have helped a bit more if I had more minutes. You know that you can hurt opponents in certain ways, in the way you play. But it wasn’t to be. And you have to respect the manager’s decisions.”
*That* backheel against Germany.
— bet365 (@bet365) August 28, 2018
*That* equaliser against Wales.
Jamie Vardy's international party is over. pic.twitter.com/KKcI4VmFNd
Vardy said he had expressed his intention to Southgate shortly after the World Cup and confirmed it in a recent phone calls.
"We’ve not shut the door completely. If the worst came to happen and everyone was injured, then obviously I wouldn’t say no," he said.
Chelsea central defender Gary Cahill has also announced his decision to take a "step back" from England duties after a similar conversation with Southgate.
England pair Jamie Vardy and Gary Cahill are stepping aside from international football.
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 28, 2018
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The 32-year-old defender, who has won 61 England caps, has struggled to force his way into the first-team under manager Maurizio Sarri this season.
"I think it’s time that I take a step back now. It’s the right moment to do that," Cahill said.
"I've been hugely proud of what I've achieved, over 60 caps, I’ve captained my country on a few occasions, which has been a huge honour.
OFFICIAL: Gary Cahill has also told Gareth Southgate that he intends to "take a step back" from the England side but will still be available for a call-up if he's "ever needed in the future." pic.twitter.com/VEoBdb85lt
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) August 28, 2018
"At the same time, in your football career you never want to shut a door completely and if I’m ever needed, I'm there."
