Ben Foster takes break from international football

Ben Foster has revealed he is taking an indefinite break from international football to concentrate on his club career at Birmingham City.

The 28-year-old has become the Blues’ first-choice stopper since his £5m transfer from Manchester United last May and has represented England on five occasions.

“Performing at the highest level game in, game out, and particularly when there’s been as many matches as there have been this season, really takes it out of your body,” he told Birmingham’s website.

“It’s no secret that I’ve had a few niggling injuries and that I’ve had to pull out of the past few England squads because of that.

“I’ve spoken to the management team and coaches here at Blues and told them what I want to do but it’s also very important that I say just how much I have loved playing for England and being part of the set-up.

“I’ve enjoyed my time with England and am certainly not closing a door on the international side of things forever but this is the right thing for me to do right now in terms of club football.

“Inevitably every time I’ve had the opportunity to give my body a rest there has been an international fixture and the demands that come with that.

“In Joe [Hart] England have a goalkeeper who is extremely talented and a top guy and he is an excellent custodian for the national side to have. I have no doubt he is going to go on to be one of the greatest.”

He added: “This is the right decision for me as I want to prolong my club career for as long as possible.”

Foster made his England debut in a 1-0 defeat by Spain in February 2007 under Capello. His last appearance for the national side came in a 1-0 loss to Brazil in a friendly in Qatar in November 2009.