Carra considers England career

Jamie Carragher has confirmed he is considering his international future with England.

Widespread reports over the weekend suggested Carragher was quitting the international scene after growing increasingly frustrated at his bit-part role in the England side.

Carragher was suprisingly omitted from the England side for last month's Euro 2008 qualifier with Estonia despite a number of defenders being unavailable.

The Liverpool stalwart now believes at this stage of his career he is not a regular in the England side he may as well concentrate all his efforts on Liverpool

"There are a number of reasons why I've been thinking about this," Carragher told the Liverpool Echo.

"I first thought about it after the World Cup because I wondered how many chances I'd get for England at centre-half.

"Then when Sol Campbell was out of the picture I thought I could put pressure on Rio Ferdinand for the other centre-half position alongside John Terry.

"Given my form for Liverpool, I genuinely thought that was possible, but over the last 12 months players like Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King have played there ahead of me.

"It's just that from a purely personal point of view, it's been disappointing because after some of my performances for Liverpool I thought I deserved a chance.

"I hoped I could come in, play out of my skin and do well enough to keep my place, not just for one game or two, but cement it.

"It was particularly disappointing for me when Rio was out against Estonia and I wasn't picked.

"I thought I'd had a good season for Liverpool, especially helping us get to the Champions League final.

"Like any player I thought I deserved to play, but not doing so made the situation crystal clear to me.

"I'm 29 now, and I have to accept if I'm not a regular starter now, I don't think I ever will be.

"It's going to be difficult for me to be seen as anything more than a squad player, and at this stage of my career that's not what I'm interested in.

"Playing the odd game here and there isn't enough. Four or five years ago I was happy to have that role, but not now."

Carragher insists his decision to consider his international future has nothing to do with Steve McClaren.

"I want to stress this has nothing do with Steve McClaren," continued Carragher.

"It wouldn't have mattered who was the England manager, I've been thinking about this for a while. I've worked with Steve for five years as part of the England set-up.

"I have a great time working with him and a lot of the England coaches. I'm just thinking about this from a purely personal point of view.

"The reason I'm delaying a final decision is because I didn't want people to think I have a bad attitude or I'm turning my back on the country at a bad time."