Jamie Vardy has “all but retired” from international duty after holding talks with England manager Gareth Southgate.
The Leicester City star made his England debut against the Republic of Ireland at the age of 28 in June 2015. Since then he has played 26 times for the Three Lions, scoring seven goals.
Now 31, Vardy informed Southgate of his intention to call time on his international career when England returned from the World Cup finals in Russia, according to the Guardian.
Southgate spoke with Vardy a fortnight ago to see if there had been a change of heart, but the striker still intends to retire – although both parties agreed to “not shut the door completely” on a possible return to the England fold.
Vardy now intends to focus on his club career.
“I explained it all to Gareth and he was fine with my decision,” Vardy said (via the Guardian). “I mentioned it to him after the World Cup had finished, out in Russia, and then I spoke to him on the phone a couple of weeks ago.
“He let it die down a bit, so that I could have a bit more time to think, and then rang me up just to make sure I wasn’t just taking the mickey in Russia. But I hadn’t changed my mind.
“Gareth said that he felt I still had a lot to offer, and we’ve not shut the door completely. If the worst came to happen and everyone was injured, then obviously I wouldn’t say no.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea defender Gary Cahill has made a similar decision by announcing he will also “step back” from the England setup.
Like Vardy, Cahill has also refused to rule out making himself available for the Three Lions again in the future.
“It’s time to take a step back,” Cahill told Chelsea TV (via the Independent). “I feel it’s the right moment to do that. If I’m ever needed in the future then obviously I’m there.”
Cahill, 32, has made 61 appearances for England.
The post Leicester striker Jamie Vardy confirms plans to end England career appeared first on Squawka News.
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