BATTY AND INCE FEAR FOR ENGLAND CAREERS

ENGLAND pair Paul Ince and David Batty fear that their international careers may be over in the wake of caretaker boss Peter Taylor's decision to leave out anyone over the age of 30 for the forthcoming friendly with Italy.

The Leicester City boss, who is standing in until Sven Goran Eriksson takes over has named one of the youngest ever England squads with only Aston Villa duo Gareth Southgate and David James the only 30-year-olds in the party.

Both veteran midfielders now feel that this could be the new approach taken up by England to move aside the older experienced players and give the youngsters a chance to prove themselves.

Leeds United midfielder Batty, who has been sidelined for 11 months following surgery on Achilles and calf injuries revealed that he expects to be back playing sooner than expected but not with England ever again.

"I don't expect to play for England again," said Batty. "There are some very good youngsters about and I have to be realistic."

There had been serious doubts that the former Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United star would never play football again, but the 31-year-old is hopeful of a return to action by February next year.

Middlesbrough captain Ince, has also admitted that he feels that his England days could be numbered "At this moment I don't know if I'm an England has-been," said Ince.

"I hope not, in the same way that I hope the likes of Tony Adams, Martin Keown, Dennis Wise and others who have done England proud over the past few years are not," Ince told The Mail on Sunday.

"Aren't 'over-the-hill' Adams and Keown the central defenders in a team that could just possibly win the Premiership title and the European Cup this season?"

Aston Villa defender Southgate, has handed his backing to the older players that have been omitted from the latest squad, saying that age should not be a factor in the selection process, despite the fact that this could cost him his place in the national side.

"It's my view players should not be left out on the grounds of age - look at Martin Keown. He's playing as well as anybody, and he's 34," said Southgate.

"He was our best player in the last match against Finland, while Tony Adams, who is also 34, was our best player against Germany," he added.