Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson has called time on his international career after withdrawing from the England squad to face Hungary at Wembley on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old was included in the squad named by Fabio Capello last night, after being overlooked for this summer's FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa.

But the former Leeds and Tottenham keeper has now opted to concentrate on club football, citing his frustrations at being third or fourth choice keeper.

"I have taken the decision to retire from international football with immediate effect," said Robinson in a statement.

"Only now have I been able to make this decision as previously I haven't been in contention for selection.

"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," he added.

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.
Paul Robinson, former England goalkeeper

"I haven't had the opportunity of anything other than this [not being first choice] 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.

"I wish the (England) team every success."

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 FIFA World Cup and for the finals themselves.

But he lost his place after making some costly errors as England missed out on qualification for UEFA Euro 2008 under Steve McClaren.

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.

He was not selected for two years following those mistakes and was only recalled by Capello when David James was injured for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Andorra.

Robinson had shown signs of rediscovering his best form after joining Rovers in July 2008, and he turned in a string of excellent displays last term, including saving two penalties as the Lancashire club reached the Carling Cup semi-finals by beating Chelsea in a shoot-out.

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce called for Robinson to be named in England's FIFA World Cup squad, but he missed out as James, Joe Hart and Robert Green made the cut.

And Robinson has now opted to call time on his international career, despite being named in Capello's latest squad.