England boss Fabio Capello admits he tried hard to convince Liverpool veteran Jamie Carragher out of international retirement.

The Italian selected the defender in his 30-man preliminary squad for the World Cup and said he had to convince him to reconsider his decision to quit the Three Lions.

"I had to try to convince different players. One of them has been Carragher," Capello said.

"We spoke with him two months ago and he said, 'Perhaps, I have to think.' Then he said yes a few weeks ago. He wanted to come with us."