Source: Team_Talk
Fletcher quits international game
The 29-year-old Plymouth midfielder dropped the bombshell as the party assembled at their Cardiff hotel on Sunday.[LNB]Fletcher, who played in Plymouth's opening league game of the season on Saturday - a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace - had spoken to Football Association of Wales officials earlier in the week about arrangements for the trip to Montenegro without giving a hint of his decision.[LNB]But the Surrey-born player confirmed his retirement and withdrawal from the squad earlier today, after winning 36 caps and scoring one goal for his country, against Norway in the 3-0 win at Wrexham in February 2008.[LNB]It is believed that Fletcher - who played in the 2006 FA Cup final for West Ham against Liverpool - has stepped aside now that Wales have a glut of up-and-coming youngsters in midfield including Aaron Ramsey, Joe Ledley, David Edwards, Joe Allen, Andy King and Jack Collison.[LNB]The likeable Fletcher has emerged as a reliable, competitive defensive midfielder after making his debut against Scotland in 2004, and he also skippered the side under John Toshack.[LNB]Formerly with Bournemouth, he also played for Watford on loan, and Palace before moving to Plymouth on loan last season and making the move permanent during the summer.[LNB]Fletcher was left out of the Wales squads that faced Estonia and Azerbaijan at the end of last season, but was recalled for the Montenegro match.[LNB]Wales have also lost Wolves midfielder Edwards from their squad to travel to Podgorica. Edwards, 23, has a groin injury and after driving to Cardiff today for assessment was ruled out of the trip.[LNB]Wales will not call up any replacements for the loss of Fletcher and Edwards.[LNB]Cardiff's Joe Ledley, who suffered from sickness this weekend and came off at half-time in the Bluebirds' 4-0 victory over Scunthorpe yesterday, is fit to travel.[LNB]Brian Flynn, manager of the Under-21s, has lost two players from his squad to face Hungary in a UEFA championship clash at Wrexham on Wednesday.[LNB]Swansea midfielder Allen is out with a hamstring injury and Chelsea have withdrawn goalkeeper Rhys Taylor.[LNB]Flynn has called-up Swansea's David Cornell, the Under-17s goalkeeper, as well as Cardiff defender Adam Matthews, who has won Under-19 caps.[LNB][LNB]
