Last Updated: Mon, 01 Dec 2008 10:32
Wigan keeper Chris Kirkland admits his England career is on hold until his long-running back problem is fully resolved.
The former Coventry and Liverpool star has been forced to change his training regime to manage the injury which has limited his international appearances.
Latics boss Steve Bruce has backed Kirkland's claims for the England number one jersey and now the player himself has revealed he still hopes to edge ahead of David James and Scott Carson.
"At the moment, I'm very happy to sit out from England," Kirkland told The Mirror. "To play for my country is a massive honour, but I have to be sensible.
"Wigan deserve me to be in the best possible shape for them. The last couple of times I have been away, I've had to pull out with back injuries so the last thing I want to do is call me up only for me to pull out again.
"That's the last thing I want as well because then everyone talks about my injuries and that's not nice to read.
"This is the way forward for me. It's not a case of not wanting to play for my country, it's a case of wanting it to be right."