“If this is the end with England, I’ve no complaints”

Gary Neville insists he will never announce his international retirement and remains available if required.

“Playing for England is hard at times, you have to be very thick-skinned about it,” the 35-year-old told The Times.

“But that’s life and you have to remind yourself you are following a great tradition and a great line of players. I live in this country, I love this country. Why would I not want to represent it?

“I always said that I would never retire and I don’t go along with international retirements, that’s my stance. I respect the decisions of those who bow out because they feel they’ve given their all or for family reasons. That’s what works for them.

“But I remember one player announcing his retirement about a year and a half after he’d last played. It’s an empty gesture.

“As far as I’m concerned, it’s the England manager who should retire players. They retire you. Maybe others haven’t enjoyed it like me. Some don’t want to be away and that’s their agenda, their way of looking at it. But that’s not me or what I believe in. I do think it’s an honour.”

“If this is the end with England, I’ve no complaints,” he added.

“But, yes, I’ll be available for selection as long as I’m playing football.”