Scott Parker insists he has little trouble ignoring the speculation over his future.
West Ham star is shutting out transfer speculation
Scott Parker insists he has little trouble ignoring the speculation over his future.
The West Ham midfielder has been strongly linked with a move away from Upton Park after relegation from the Premier League.
The 30-year-old has been in superb form, personally, earning an England recall this season and being named Footballer of the Year.
Parker knows staying with the Hammers as they drop into the Championship could hinder his chances of staying in the England squad.
But the former Chelsea and Newcastle man is putting those thoughts aside as England prepare for Saturday's Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland.
"Not many players do get picked from the Championship," said Parker. "That is just the way it is.
Too early
"But it is too early to say exactly what is going to happen to me on a personal level.
"I am sure we will see over the next couple of months. There is speculation but it is easy for me to block it out.
"If I was 22 it would probably be a different story and my mind would be elsewhere. Now I am quite experienced. I know how things work."
After becoming the first England player to receive his first four caps while playing for four different teams, Parker broke that run against Wales in March.
The Charlton youth product impressed in a holding midfield role and is eager to earn a sixth cap at Wembley this weekend.
"My focus is on playing and for that I need a clear head," he said. "If I don't have one I am not going to perform as well as I can.
"First and foremost I want to impress enough in training to get a start. Then I will try to put in a performance. I just want to take it from there."
England go into the game as joint leaders of Group G with Montenegro in the quest to book a place in next summer's finals.
World Cup blow
And after narrowly missing out on a place in last year's World Cup squad, Parker is determined not to suffer selection heartache again.
"My aim is to be there come this time next year," he said. "I know there is a long way to go and things can change but, if I can help in any way, that is what I will try to do.
"I never felt like quitting England. My mentality was always to work hard and force my way in.
"It was quite difficult not to be selected for the World Cup. After that I thought my chances would have been limited.
"But the Wales game was a massive chance for me. I felt if I didn't perform in that game I would not have pulled on an England shirt again.
"In football, especially at international level, when opportunities come along you have to grab them."
