Kirkland backs out for England

Keeper puts club before country

Last updated: 1st December 2008

Kirkland backs out for England

Kirkland: Managing back injury

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Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has revealed he has put his England ambitions on hold in a bid to stay fit.

Kirkland has been plagued with a number of injuries over the years and he is currently struggling with a long-standing back problem.

The former Liverpool and Coventry keeper admits he has told England boss Fabio Capello he does not want to be considered for international duty until he is over his injury worries.

Sensible

"At the moment, I'm very happy to sit out from England," Kirkland told The Mirror. "To play for my country is a massive honour, but I have to be sensible.

"Wigan deserve me to be in the best possible shape for them. The last couple of times I have been away, I've had to pull out with back injuries so the last thing I want to do is call me up only for me to pull out again.

"That's the last thing I want as well because then everyone talks about my injuries and that's not nice to read.

"This is the way forward for me. It's not a case of not wanting to play for my country, it's a case of wanting it to be right."