Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher will reject a return to the England squad.

The Daily Mail says Carragher is ready to reject any attempt Steve McClaren makes to talk him out of international retirement.

The England coach plans to meet the Liverpool defender next week after it emerged that skipper John Terry will miss this month's friendly against Germany and is also extremely doubtful for next month's European Championship qualifiers against Israel and Russia because of a knee injury. If his plea fails, McClaren may turn to Sol Campbell.

"I have spoken to Jamie Carragher," said McClaren yesterday. "A lot has been said about that. Jamie is a very important player for England and a very important member of the squad.

"There is no way I - or the players or anybody - want to lose him. That was expressed in a couple of conversations I had with Jamie before pre-season. What we said is that he won't make any firm decisions until I have spoken to him. I aim to do that. Keeping Jamie involved in the squad is my main aim.

"I can understand his thought process. I have every sympathy with players who want to play and feel they should play. It has been quite unfortunate.

"But there are players in every squad who can play in many positions. Maybe it is to the detriment of that player. But Jamie has been a great servant to the England team for many years and I want that to continue. I hope in my conversations with him next week, we can resolve it."