Jamie Carragher, the Liverpool defender, has voiced his frustration at his lack of opportunities for England, threatening to retire from the international set-up if he fails to command a first-choice place in Steve McClaren’s team.
“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,” he said. “Playing the odd game here and there is not enough. Four or five years ago I was happy to have that role, but not now.”
Carragher made his international debut against Hungary in April 1999, and has earned a total of 34 caps. In recent years, England have predominantly selected a first-choice central pairing of John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, restricting the Liverpool player to just 16 starts.
“I want to stress this has nothing to do with Steve McClaren,” he said. “It wouldn’t have mattered who was the England manager, I’ve been thinking about this for a while,”
Carragher has enjoyed a highly successful career at Anfield, having risen through the youth system at the club before signing professional terms in October 1996. He has since made 469 appearances, scoring four times and was a key member of the side that triumphed against AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final. With 94 games under his belt, he has played more European ties for the club than any other player.
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Carragher also holds the record for the most international appearances for England at Under-21 level.