Everton fullback Leighton Baines insists he didn't deliberately talk himself out of England's World Cup squad.

Baines insists that his "homesick" comments were taken completely out of context.

"I was feeling low because I knew I hadn't played my best against Mexico and I spoke to a reporter I know about how the game had gone," he told evertonfc.com.

"At the end of the conversation I was asked if I was missing the family while we were away and I said I was but that it's all part and parcel of being a footballer.

"I also stressed that the team spirit with England was brilliant and that all the lads helped each other. I'm not embarrassed to admit that being away from the family is difficult at times but I'm not the only player who feels that. It's natural when you've got a young family and you're away from home for long spells so I was shocked when I read some of the reports that later surfaced.

"In fact, when I got a call a few days later asking me if I was alright, I didn't know what the person was on about. I'd never mentioned the word 'homesick' once. I felt that my comments had been misconstrued and I came across as a bit of a moaner, which is not like me at all.

"I was as desperate to make the plane as every other member of the squad and my family was 100% behind me, so I was bitterly disappointed when Mr Capello told me that I wouldn't be going.

"It was a football reason though and had nothing to do with anything written in the newspapers. I respected his decision and wished him and the lads all the best for the tournament."