Source: Team_Talk
Robinson hangs up England gloves
lackburn keeper Paul Robinson has announced his retirement from international football after withdrawing from England's squad to face Hungary.[LNB] The 30-year-old was included in the squad named by Fabio Capello last night, after being overlooked for this summer's World Cup in South Africa.[LNB]But the former Leeds and Tottenham keeper has now opted to concentrate on club football, although he will not be replaced in the squad for Wednesday's friendly.[LNB]Robinson won 41 caps for his country, having made his debut against Australia in 2003, and he was first choice during qualifying for the 2006 World Cup and for the finals themselves.[LNB]But he lost his place after making some costly errors as England missed out on qualification for Euro 2008 under Steve McClaren.[LNB]His failure to connect with a Gary Neville back pass resulted in an own goal in the 2-0 defeat in Croatia, and he could only palm a long-range shot into Roman Pavlyuchenko's path to concede the winner in a 2-1 defeat against Russia.[LNB]He was not selected for two years following those mistakes and was only recalled by Capello when David James was injured for the World Cup 2010 qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Andorra.[LNB]Robinson's statement: "I have taken the decision to retire from international football with immediate effect.[LNB]"Only now have I been able to make this decision as previously I haven't been in contention or selected for the squad.[LNB]"As a professional who wants to play every time I have the chance I don't see myself as a number three or four keeper and find that role very frustrating.[LNB]"I haven't had the opportunity of anything other than this in recent years therefore I feel it in the best interest of myself and my club Blackburn Rovers that I concentrate solely on my club football."[LNB]"I wish the (England) team every success."
