Lee Carsley thinks that Stephen Ireland should not be put under pressure to make a return to the Republic of Ireland national team.
The Everton midfielder reckons that no player should be put in a situation that they are uncomfortable with and that if Ireland doesn't want to come back then that is his decision.
"You can't force him to play and as long as he is of the attitude that he doesn't want to play I think he should be just left alone," Carsley told the Sunday Times.
"It's not worth having somebody in the squad who doesn't want to be there, as good a player as he is and as well as he has done this season."
There were suggestions that Ireland did not feel part of the group when he joined up with the national squad, but Carsley has rejected those claims.
"He wasn't getting bullied or picked on or anything," stated Carsley.
"I've read things like the lads didn't like him and stuff but he's a popular lad, he looked like he was enjoying himself.
"He fitted in well in training and I didn't once think he was a bit of a loner."